Pezeshkian: We would not have joined NPT if we were seeking nuclear weapons

Pars Today- Iran’s president, referring to the fact that the International Atomic Energy Agency has carried out extensive inspections of Iran’s nuclear facilities, said: “If we were seeking nuclear weapons, we would not have joined the NPT.”

According to Pars Today, citing IRNA, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in an interview with India Today on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit, outlined Iran’s positions on nuclear issues, regional relations, sanctions and the war.

Pezeshkian, referring to the extensive inspections of Iran’s nuclear facilities by the International Atomic Energy Agency, said: “If we were seeking nuclear weapons, we would not have joined the NPT.” He stressed that Iran operates within the framework of international law and described Western claims that Iran is seeking to acquire nuclear weapons as a pretext for attacking Iranian territory.

In response to a reporter’s question about BRICS’ success and differences between the United Arab Emirates and Iran, the Iranian president said: “We have no problem with the UAE. We have no problem with any country in the region. We have an issue with US bases in these countries, the same bases from which aggression is launched against our country.”

He added that the UAE and other regional countries are Iran’s brothers, and that the main problem is the United States, which has established bases there and uses those bases to target Iranian children and infrastructure. Pezeshkian stressed: “Friendly and neighboring countries should not allow enemies to attack another country from their territory.”

Pezeshkian said that Iran currently has good relations with the UAE and can expand its ties with the country. He said: “The United States takes the region’s oil, minerals and mineral resources and, in return, provides countries with weapons, missiles and aircraft to make us afraid of one another or set us against each other.”

Pezeshkian stressed that regional countries can work together to establish peace and security in the region and promote economic and cultural development.

A reporter asked about the West’s perception that Iran could be brought to its knees, and Pezeshkian replied: “The US action against our country made us more united. It even made the people of the region more opposed to what the United States did and more hostile toward the US, because we were the victims of aggression.”

Regarding claims by US officials about Iran’s nuclear program, he said: “The US actions against Iran are nothing but propaganda. The most extensive inspections regarding the nuclear issue were carried out in Iran and at our country’s nuclear facilities. They used to come every day to conduct inspections and visits. We were and are operating within the framework of international law.”

Referring to the fact that Iran’s martyred Leader had repeatedly stated that Iran was in no way seeking nuclear weapons, he asked: “How else should we say that we are not seeking nuclear weapons? What evidence have they found showing that we are seeking nuclear weapons that they allowed themselves to attack our country in this way? They are lying.”

Speaking about Israel, Pezeshkian said: “Do you really think Israel wants Iran not to have nuclear weapons?! Why is Israel not a member of the NPT? It has several nuclear bombs. Why don’t international organizations object to Israel?”

He added: “Thousands of people are being bombed every day. What human conscience would accept such treatment of innocent people? They have cut off their access to water, food and medicine. The whole world sees and understands this. Why is no one doing anything about Israel?”

Regarding Iran’s readiness for direct talks with Trump, the Iranian president said: “For now, we cannot make such a decision. Think about it: our Leader was martyred—why? And now the person who martyred our Leader wants to speak directly with us? The people are deeply upset about what happened, and they will not easily forget this tragedy that was inflicted on our country.”

He stressed that the atmosphere of mistrust must be addressed and that they must demonstrate that what they say is true.