Iranian president rejects nuclear bomb pursuit in UN address

Addressing world leaders at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian firmly reiterated Tehran’s long-standing position that it has no intention of developing nuclear weapons — a declaration that comes amid heightened scrutiny and the looming threat of renewed international sanctions.

"I hereby declare once more before this assembly that Iran has never sought and will never seek to build a nuclear bomb. We do not seek nuclear weapons," Pezeshkian said, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

On August 28, Britain, France and Germany launched a 30-day process to reimpose UN sanctions that ends on September 27, accusing Tehran of failing to abide by a 2015 deal with world powers aimed at preventing it from developing a nuclear weapon.

The European powers have offered to delay reinstating sanctions for up to six months to allow space for talks on a long-term deal if Iran restores access for UN nuclear inspectors, addresses concerns about its stock of enriched uranium, and engages in talks with the United States.

Pezeshkian accused the so-called E3 of triggering the process to return international sanctions on Iran at "the behest of the United States of America."

His comments at the General Assembly are the first time he has spoken in a global forum since the 12-day Israel-Iran war over the summer that saw the assassination of many of the Islamic Republic’s highest military and political leaders.

By Vafa Guliyeva