WANA (Feb 18) – Iran’s president said in a candid discussion with three civil activists that Tehran is prepared for any form of verification regarding the peaceful nature of its nuclear program, but will not accept abandoning its civilian nuclear industry — remarks made as negotiations with the United States continue.

 

Masoud Pezeshkian stressed that based on the religious decree of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, Iran is categorically not seeking nuclear weapons and is ready to accept any monitoring or verification mechanism requested by other parties.

 

He added that abandoning the peaceful nuclear program — which has applications in medicine, agriculture, and industry — is not acceptable to Tehran, and expressed the expectation that the international community should recognize this distinction.

 

Pezeshkian also said the talks with the United States are being conducted with the coordination and authorization of the country’s leadership, emphasizing that the goal is to reach real solutions and tangible results rather than engage in talks without clear outcomes.

 

He reiterated that Iran has repeatedly stated it is not pursuing nuclear weapons and is prepared to demonstrate the peaceful nature of its program through international mechanisms — a stance viewed as a signal of readiness for confidence-building amid ongoing diplomatic efforts.