Iran’s President Reiterates Commitment to Non-Nuclear Policy

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has reaffirmed Tehran’s stance that it will not pursue the development of nuclear weapons.

During a meeting with Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in Tehran on November 14, Pezeshkian reiterated Iran’s commitment to cooperating with the agency to address ambiguities surrounding the country’s “peaceful” nuclear activities, according to the president’s official website.

“As we have repeatedly stated, based on the clear Fatwa of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, we have never sought, nor will we ever seek, to develop nuclear weapons, and no one is permitted to deviate from this policy,” Pezeshkian asserted.

The president emphasized Iran’s readiness to strengthen collaboration with the IAEA to resolve concerns about its nuclear program. He added that “the world increasingly recognizes that the Islamic Republic of Iran pursues global peace and security.”

Referring to the United States’ withdrawal from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Pezeshkian noted that Iran had adhered to its obligations, as confirmed by multiple IAEA reports, but accused the U.S. of “unilaterally withdrawing, blocking further progress on the path to diplomacy.”

Grossi, in turn, expressed optimism about a new era of positive relations between Iran and the IAEA under Pezeshkian’s leadership and highlighted the potential of constructive engagement.

Later, Grossi wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “Meeting with Pezeshkian was an essential part of my visit to Iran, an opportunity to engage at the highest level with the new government, listen to his views, and explain my approach and efforts to make progress on one of the most challenging issues on the international agenda.”

Grossi arrived in Tehran on November 13 for discussions on Iran’s nuclear program amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel. Some Iranian factions have advocated for a reevaluation of the country’s nuclear policy, suggesting the development of atomic weapons as a deterrent against Israeli “aggression.”

During his two-day visit, Grossi also inspected uranium enrichment facilities at Fordow and Natanz. Following a June 5 resolution by the IAEA’s Board of Governors condemning Iran, the country reportedly began installing advanced centrifuges at these sites.

After his meeting with Grossi on November 14, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed optimism that the talks had established a roadmap for future cooperation on Iran’s nuclear program. He reaffirmed Tehran’s willingness to work within the framework of past agreements.

At a joint news conference, Mohammad Eslami, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), underscored that Iran’s nuclear program would continue to align with “national interests” despite “international pressures.”

Responding to questions about potential attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities, Grossi stressed that such actions are “illegal under international law” and warned of severe biological and environmental consequences.

“Any attack would not only violate legal norms but also pose a severe risk to biological and environmental safety,” he said.

The IAEA has repeatedly expressed concerns over Iran’s growing stockpile of uranium enriched to 20% and 60%, as well as a lack of transparency regarding its nuclear activities. The U.S. and UK have also raised alarms about potential Russian exchanges of nuclear and space technology with Iran in return for Iranian ballistic missiles used in the Ukraine conflict. On September 10, the E3 (UK, France, and Germany) and the U.S. imposed sanctions on Iran, accusing it of supplying missiles to Moscow – claims Tehran has consistently denied.

In 2022, the IAEA Board of Governors twice censured Iran for insufficient cooperation with the agency’s investigations. In response, Tehran removed monitoring equipment, including cameras, from several nuclear sites in June of that year. In March 2023, the IAEA detected uranium particles enriched to 83.7% purity – just below weapons-grade – at the Fordow facility. Under the JCPOA, Iran had agreed to limit uranium enrichment to 3.67% and cease all enrichment activities at Fordow.

For context, low-enriched uranium (3-5% U-235) is typically used as fuel for nuclear power plants, while highly enriched uranium (20% or more) is used in research reactors. Weapons-grade uranium requires enrichment of 90% or higher.