Iran reaffirms commitment to JCPOA, denies pursuit of nuclear weapons

Iran has reiterated that it has no intention of developing nuclear weapons and expressed readiness to fully resume its obligations under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

The announcement was made by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during a roundtable with journalists in New York, held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign sources.

"We are fully prepared to return to our commitments under the agreement," Pezeshkian stated, emphasizing Iran's willingness to comply with the nuclear deal. However, he cautioned against one-sided expectations from the West. “It should not be the case that the United States and European countries, unwilling to fulfil their obligations, ask us to return to ours.”

Pezeshkian also took the opportunity to refute accusations that Iran seeks nuclear weapons, pointing to extensive oversight by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). "Some countries have falsely accused us of attempting to develop nuclear weapons, but the IAEA has conducted the most thorough inspections in Iran. Our military doctrine has no place for nuclear arms," he stressed.

Beyond the nuclear issue, President Pezeshkian addressed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, signalling Tehran's openness to dialogue. "We are ready to sit down with Europeans and Americans at the negotiating table," he said, adding that Iran has never supported any acts of aggression against Ukraine’s territorial integrity. "The borders of every country must be respected."

Pezeshkian also reiterated Iran's denial of Western claims that the country has been supplying weapons to Russia amid the Ukraine war. 

By Vugar Khalilov