Iran "not seeking nuclear weapons," says President Pezeshkian amid peace talks
Tehran, May 24
President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday said that Iran is prepared to reassure the international community that it is not pursuing nuclear weapons, reiterating Tehran's commitment to diplomacy and regional stability amid talks with the US to achieve a complete solution to the crisis in the West Asia region.
According to state media Press TV, the President made these remarks during his visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).
Pezeshkian said the Islamic Republic remains open to providing assurances that its nuclear programme is strictly peaceful in nature.
"We are ready to assure the world that we are not seeking nuclear weapons and are not seeking unrest in the region," he said, as quoted by Press TV.
He also accused Israel of being a key source of instability in West Asia, arguing that it is "the Israeli regime that uses every opportunity to keep war and instability alive", rather than Iran.
At the same time, Pezeshkian stressed that Iranian negotiators would not compromise on national dignity and honour in ongoing discussions with international stakeholders, particularly the US, to strike a peace deal to end the ongoing hostilities.
According to Press TV, Tehran maintains that under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), it has the right to pursue nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, including energy generation, medical applications, and scientific research.
While Iran has consistently denied seeking nuclear weapons, the United States and its allies continue to allege that Tehran may be attempting to develop the technical capability required for weaponisation.
Meanwhile, Axios, citing a US official, reported that the memorandum for a 60-day ceasefire between the US and Iran is in its final stages, with negotiators working to close remaining gaps and avert further escalation in the region. The deal would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and allow the resumption of Iranian oil sales.
According to the senior US official, the draft agreement hinges on a strict diplomatic architecture of "relief for performance".
If implemented, the deal would immediately reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz, temporarily ease global energy market pressures, and establish a high-stakes 60-day window to negotiate the complete dismantlement of Iran's nuclear program.
Both Trump and mediators reportedly suggest that an announcement could come as early as Sunday.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Peace talks are always better than war. 🤝 The reference to Israel as a source of instability is strong—many in the Global South feel the same. But Iran must back up its assurances with transparency. The "relief for performance" model sounds fair: if they prove peaceful intent, sanctions ease. Hope this works out.
I am skeptical. Iran has said this before, and the US has broken deals. India has a long history of non-alignment and we've seen how foreign powers meddle in the region. Remember how the US walked out of the JCPOA? This 60-day ceasefire is a Band-Aid. We need a permanent solution that respects Iran's sovereignty and gives verifiable guarantees.
Interesting timing. With global energy prices soaring and the Strait of Hormuz being a choke point, reopening it is a win for everyone—including India, which imports a lot of oil. But Iran blaming Israel while denying its own role in regional unrest feels like deflection. Both sides need to be honest about their actions. Diplomacy is the only way forward though. ✌️
I am happy to see dialogue replacing threats. The NPT gives Iran the right to peaceful nuclear tech, just as India has. But the Iranian government must also address concerns about weaponization potential—otherwise, these talks will fail like before. Also, the 60-day timeline is too short for dismantling anything significant. Let’s hope for a realistic outcome.
As someone watching from the West, Iran's statement is a step in the right direction, but the devil is in the details. India has a stable nuclear program under IAEA safeguards
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.