Iran’s President: Nuclear Activity Will Not Stop “Under Any Circumstances”
Pezeshkian also issued a stern warning to Israel, stating that Iran’s response to further Israeli aggression would be “more devastating.”
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Saturday that Iran will not halt its nuclear activities “under any circumstances,” even as its facilities come under attack amid ongoing fighting with Israel — according to AFP.
In a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron, Pezeshkian stated that while Iran is open to dialogue and cooperation to build international confidence in its nuclear program, it categorically rejects any demand to completely dismantle its activities. “We are ready to discuss and cooperate to build confidence in the field of peaceful nuclear activities,” he said, “however, we do not agree to reduce nuclear activities to zero under any circumstances,” AFP reported, citing Iran’s official IRNA news agency.
The remarks come as the war between Iran and Israel enters its ninth day, marked by Israeli airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear facilities and Iran’s continued missile and drone attacks in retaliation. Israeli strikes have reportedly hit sensitive nuclear sites, including in Isfahan and other regions, as part of a broader effort to degrade Iran’s nuclear and military capabilities.
In his call with Macron, President Pezeshkian reiterated Iran’s position that its nuclear program is peaceful and conducted within the boundaries of international law. “Iran has always announced that it is ready to provide guarantees and build confidence in its peaceful nuclear activities within the framework of international law,” he said. “The rights granted to countries and nations by international law cannot be taken away from them by threats or war.”
According to AFP, Pezeshkian also issued a stern warning to Israel, stating that Iran’s response to further Israeli aggression would be “more devastating.”
“Our response to the continued aggression of the Zionist regime will be more devastating,” he said during the call, in which both leaders discussed the urgency of de-escalating the conflict and restoring regional stability.
As tensions escalate, Western governments continue to urge restraint. France has expressed concern over the broader consequences of a full-scale war between Israel and Iran, and called for renewed diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation.