Pezeshkian: Iran prepared for war with Israel Will continue nuclear programme

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has declared that Tehran is prepared for any future military action from Israel and remains committed to advancing its uranium enrichment programme, despite international opposition.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera — one of his first since the recent 12-day conflict between the two countries — Pezeshkian expressed scepticism about the ceasefire holding and emphasised Iran’s readiness to respond, Caliber.Az reports.

“We are fully prepared for any new Israeli military move, and our armed forces are ready to strike deep inside Israel again,” Pezeshkian said.

The conflict, which ended on June 24, saw US intervention in support of Israel, including strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. Pezeshkian accused Israel of concealing its losses while attempting to “eliminate” Iran’s leadership through targeted assassinations and attacks on nuclear sites.

“It has dealt us powerful blows, and we have struck it hard in its depths, but it is concealing its losses,” he stated. “Israel’s strikes ... had sought to ‘eliminate’ Iran’s hierarchy, but it has completely failed to do so.”

More than 900 Iranians, mostly civilians, and at least 28 Israelis were killed during the conflict.

Regarding Iran’s nuclear programme, Pezeshkian confirmed Tehran’s intention to continue uranium enrichment within the bounds of international law. He rejected US claims that the programme had ended.

“[US President Donald] Trump says that Iran should not have a nuclear weapon, and we accept this because we reject nuclear weapons and this is our political, religious, humanitarian and strategic position,” Pezeshkian said.

“We believe in diplomacy, so any future negotiations must be according to a win-win logic, and we will not accept threats and dictates.”

He added, “Our nuclear capabilities are in the minds of our scientists and not in the facilities,” countering claims from Washington.

Pezeshkian also addressed an alleged Israeli assassination attempt against him on 15 June, calling it part of a broader Israeli plan to “put the country into chaos in order to overthrow it completely,” a strategy that he said had failed.

On Iran’s retaliatory strikes against the US Al Udeid base in Qatar, Pezeshkian clarified that Tehran did not intend hostility towards Qatar, describing the strikes as directed solely at American forces.

Talks involving Iran and European powers — France, Germany, and the UK — are scheduled to resume in Türkiye on July 25 amid ongoing tensions.

Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization is currently assessing the impact of last month’s attacks on its nuclear materials and will soon update the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The three European parties to the former 2015 nuclear deal have warned that failure by Tehran to re-engage in negotiations could result in renewed international sanctions.

By Aghakazim Guliyev