Pezeshkian: We Are Not After Nuclear Weapons, But We Will Not Be Bullied

WANA (Sep 16) – The first press conference of Massoud Pezeshkian, the 14th President of Iran, with domestic and foreign media was held today.

Journalists and photographers gathered at the venue hours before the conference began. A banner was designed in the background of the president’s seat, featuring a picture of the Supreme Leader and this year’s slogan, “Economic Leap with People’s Participation,” in the top right corner.

On the left side of the banner, there was a photo of Imam Khomeini with a caption underneath that read, “Unity is the Key to Victory.” The banner also featured Mount Damavand, the Iranian flag, and a quote from Imam Ali, the first Imam of the Shiites, which was one of Pezeshkian’s key campaign slogans: “I stand accountable for my promises.”

In response to a question about how the 14th government would tackle imbalances and improve the economy to alleviate poverty, Pezeshkian said: “We have no choice but to resolve the issue of the FATF. Economic growth requires the creation of a free market that enables foreign relations and investments. We will definitely pursue foreign diplomacy based on dignity, wisdom, and expediency.”

During the press conference, Pezeshkian also responded to a question from a Chinese journalist regarding Iran’s relationship with China: “Certainly, we will be strategic partners with China and will strengthen our connection. In the upcoming interactions, we will aim to implement the 25-year agreement between Iran and China and increase cooperation.”

He added, “We want to revive the same routes that existed along the Silk Road, and with the right infrastructure, accessibility, and technology, we will push this forward. We will be a fully committed and strategic partner with China, and as our relations progress, we will ensure that what has been agreed upon is implemented, increasing cooperation.”

When asked about allegations that Iran had provided hypersonic missiles to Yemen’s Ansarullah or transferred the technology to them during the Gaza-Israel conflict, Pezeshkian responded: “In Iran, we don’t have the type of missile that they (the Yemenis) launched. The fact that they were able to produce these missiles is not the result of just a day, a week, or even a year. That kind of knowledge and skill is acquired over time.”

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian attends a press conference in Tehran, Iran, September 16, 2024. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

Regarding claims that Iran supplied missiles to Yemen’s Ansarullah, Pezeshkian emphasized: “The fact that we share a connection and similar views is true. We do not want Israel to destroy the people.”

In response to a question about whether lifting sanctions, which are directly influenced by Iran’s relationship with the U.S., would require dialogue with the U.S., Pezeshkian said: “We do not want to be sanctioned, and we have no quarrels with anyone. We follow the rules and will continue to do so. What Israel is doing in the region, and what happened with the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, shows that they (Israel) want to drag us into a regional war rather than bring peace. We have exercised restraint so far, but we reserve the right to defend ourselves at the right time, place, and method.”

He reiterated: “We are not after nuclear weapons. They (the U.S. and the West) are the ones threatening us. They want us to disarm, but Israel also needs to be disarmed. Are we not supposed to have rockets while Israel can fire at us whenever it wants, and if we object, they tell us to be quiet?”

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian attends a press conference in Tehran, Iran, September 16, 2024. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

When asked about his message to U.S. leaders for future engagement, Pezeshkian said: “If America respects our rights, we have no quarrel with it. We want security in our country. Don’t take our security away, don’t threaten us, and don’t humiliate us. We will not be humiliated!”

On the topic of Iran’s nuclear program and the International Atomic Energy Agency’s concerns over Iran’s 60% uranium enrichment, Pezeshkian stated: “We are not seeking nuclear weapons. We are not, but we will not be bullied. They cannot fully arm Israel and put it against us, then threaten us whenever we want to protest. If we are wronged, we will retaliate.”

In response to questions about Western sanctions imposed on Iran for allegedly sending missiles to Russia, Pezeshkian clarified: “Since our administration took office, we have not provided missiles to Russia to be used in Ukraine. We say let’s make peace with one another and not fight, but they (the West) want to impose sanctions on us.”

Regarding negotiations with the U.S., Pezeshkian said: “We have no hostility toward them. We were not the ones who set up military bases around America, nor did we sanction them; they sanctioned us, they built military bases around us, and they threaten us. If they stop this, we can be brothers with them; we have no problem.”

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian attends a press conference in Tehran, Iran, September 16, 2024. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

More than 300 domestic and foreign journalists, photographers, and cameramen covered Pezeshkian’s first press conference.

In an interesting moment, Pezeshkian was about to answer a foreign journalist’s question in English when he noticed that the translator was about to translate the question into Persian. Smiling, he said, “Do you want to translate it? Well, go ahead!” This direct and confident command of English was met with applause and excitement from the other journalists present at the conference.

This press conference was the most extensive ever held by an Iranian president, with Pezeshkian answering nearly 30 questions from journalists.