Iran's President Criticises US Over Nuclear Accusations

The President of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, has denounced recent accusations from the United States and Israel regarding Iran's nuclear enrichment activities. Speaking in an interview with India Today, Pezeshkian described the claims as part of a coordinated campaign that he believes aims to justify military action against Tehran. He firmly stated that Iran is not pursuing nuclear weapons, asserting that the country’s nuclear programme operates within international norms, having signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Pezeshkian's remarks come as tensions between Iran and the West remain high following military engagements that began in February. He accused the US and Israel of engaging in what he termed "fake propaganda," alleging that these nations are fabricating excuses for their military postures against Iran. He emphasised, "If we were seeking nuclear weapons, we wouldn't have become a member of NPT."

He also highlighted the rigorous monitoring Iran's nuclear activities undergo, stating that international watchdogs regularly inspect their facilities. Pezeshkian raised questions about the legitimacy of the US and Israel's claims, asking what concrete evidence they possess to warrant their military actions against Iran. He labelled their allegations as unfounded and characterised their narratives as intentional misinformation.

The Iranian President expressed a willingness to engage in discussions on nuclear matters, particularly within the framework of the NPT. However, he rejected the notion of immediate direct negotiations with the United States, citing a significant trust deficit exacerbated by the recent armed conflict and political assassination of Iran’s former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. "Imagine a society whose leader has been assassinated and martyred, and then you expect other members of society to come talk directly with us," he remarked, stressing the need for rebuilding trust.

Pezeshkian also referenced the previous negotiations between Iran and the US, revealing that discussions had occurred before the conflict intensified, during which both sides had reportedly made progress towards an agreement. He claimed that the US later abandoned the understanding, which was perceived as a betrayal by Tehran. Pezeshkian reiterated that any negotiations with the US would require the lifting of sanctions and a cessation of military threats against Iran.

He also addressed the broader geopolitical context, accusing Israel and the US of atrocities in Gaza and Lebanon, alongside a lack of international scrutiny towards Israel’s nuclear capabilities due to its non-signatory status to the NPT. He urged the global community to critically evaluate the narratives they are presented with regarding Iran's nuclear intentions, questioning why the international focus seems disproportionately directed at Iran.

Pezeshkian concluded his statements by invoking the significance of recognising the complexities behind the ongoing conflicts, asserting that Iran does not seek war. He affirmed Iran's commitment to responding appropriately to aggression, maintaining a defensive posture in the face of perceived threats, and urged countries globally to stand against misinformation regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions.