WANA (May 14) – Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), stated that the Islamic Republic of Iran has never sought and is not seeking to militarize its nuclear program, emphasizing that there is no place for weaponization in Iran’s nuclear agenda.

 

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the second day of the National Nuclear Conference in Mashhad, Eslami said: “To supply fuel for our power and research reactors—which are entirely Iranian—we produce fully domestic nuclear fuel.”

 

He added, “Everything we produce is under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and Mr. Araghchi has also presented this position during the negotiations. The Islamic Republic of Iran has never pursued nuclear militarization, and it is clear that there is no military objective in its program. Enrichment is for designs and projects that are under the agency’s supervision.”

 

In response to a question regarding the repeated U.S. demand for Iran to dismantle its uranium enrichment program, Eslami stated: “This position is unacceptable to Iran, and Mr. Araghchi has already responded to it.” He stressed: “We have not and will not pursue uranium enrichment for nuclear weapons.”

 

Regarding Iran’s technical talks with the IAEA, Eslami said the negotiations are continuing within general frameworks. He emphasized, “As Mr. Araghchi also pointed out, what matters is that the other side should show genuine will to resolve the issue and refrain from using maximum pressure policies and arbitrary sanctions.”

 

He clarified, “Iran’s activities are completely transparent, and we have repeatedly declared that we are not seeking nuclear weapons. This accusation has become worn-out and baseless. They must accept that although certain countries have long monopolized modern technologies, Iran has achieved them through indigenous research and has not obtained them cheaply to be given up easily.”

 

Eslami further added: “Eliminating or dismantling the enrichment industry is impossible. Enrichment is the foundation of the nuclear industry. This claim was made in the past, and 50 years ago, the Americans experienced it through a consortium with France.”

 

“Iran paid money and invested, and France’s nuclear industry was built with Iranian public funds, but Iran received nothing in return and was deprived of nuclear materials and its investment,” he continued.

 

Eslami stated: “Our CPF (Comprehensive Plan for the nuclear program) has been with the IAEA for two and a half years. There are no undeclared sites, and the agency no longer has any excuse to request further inspections. They already have continuous and daily supervision, and there have been no undeclared activities or sites in the past or present.”

 

The AEOI chief emphasized that the basis for Iran-IAEA dialogue is the Tehran Statement. Eslami stated that, “Those who failed to fulfill their JCPOA commitments cannot now question why Iran is not adhering to its nuclear obligations. We have always said that if they return to their commitments, we will do the same.”

 

“We told the IAEA that the foundation of our relationship must be the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement. If they speak of continued access to information and knowledge about Iran’s nuclear activities, it must be within that framework,” he added.

 

He continued: “We have also announced that the remaining issues, which have been reduced to two, will be resolved within the framework of the safeguards agreement. The deputies of both sides are discussing how to reach a model to resolve these matters under the safeguards framework, and these talks are ongoing.”

 

He concluded: “The visit by Mr. Massimo Aparo, the IAEA Deputy Director General, took place after Mr. Grossi’s trip to Iran, and he will return to continue the discussions.”