Pezeshkian: Iran to allow UN nuclear inspectors into country

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran would allow UN nuclear inspectors into the country, while maintaining that Iran is not seeking to develop nuclear weapons.

Speaking in an interview with CBS News' “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” on September 25, Pezeshkian confirmed that Iran would permit inspectors to enter the country.

“That is absolutely correct,” he said.

Brennan noted that inspectors from the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had not been granted full access when they attempted to conduct inspections previously.

“Will your country allow in weapons inspectors now?” Brennan asked.

“That is absolutely correct,” Pezeshkian responded, adding, “If they wish to come in and have inspections, we can reach accords and agreements vis-à-vis that specific topic within the negotiations.”

Pezeshkian also rejected claims that Iran is seeking to build a nuclear weapon.

“Developing nuclear weapons is haram,” he said, using the word for forbidden. He maintained that even if some people in Iran wanted to develop a nuclear weapon, “religiously speaking, they are not allowed to pursue that path.”

The comments came after Iran’s foreign minister offered a proposal earlier this week to reopen the Strait of Hormuz after seven days and resume talks with the United States as an initial step toward a final nuclear deal.

The US has yet to respond to the Iranian proposal, which was announced during the United Nations General Assembly in New York City.

By Sabina Mammadli