Western claims against Iran's peaceful nuclear activity are baseless

According to Ashura News, citing ISNA, on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Masoud Pezzekian explained the Islamic Republic of Iran’s positions on regional and international issues, developments related to the Gaza war, the nuclear program, the future of relations with the United States, the status of human rights, and the status of women in Iran in an interview with Fox News.

The full text of the interview is as follows:

Host: Mr. President Pezzekian; Thank you very much for speaking with me today. President Trump announced this afternoon (October 2, 1404) that he and his colleagues have spoken with Middle Eastern leaders and are close to an agreement that may lead to the release of the hostages and an end to the war. Do you think the time has come? Do you agree with such an agreement?

President: While wishing success and victory for peace and security in the Middle East, I believe that if the talks and reports that have been put forward can lead to peace and help resolve the crisis of the siege of Gaza, where people are dying of hunger, it will be a great achievement.

Mr. President, Mr. Trump has put forward a 21-point plan on the situation in the Middle East. Are you familiar with this plan or have you heard anything about it? Also, President Trump has said that he will not allow Israel to occupy the West Bank. What is your reaction to this issue?

The fact that it has been said that the Zionist regime should not continue with the current process is itself a step forward. I believe that this regime could not have taken these measures without the permission of the United States. The human tragedies that are taking place in that region today pain the heart of every decent person; where children are dying of hunger, people are homeless, have no food, and hospitals have been destroyed. This was something he could have done much earlier, and it is still not too late. He could have forced the Zionist regime to open the path of humanitarian aid to the region and end the war.

Regarding your speech yesterday at the United Nations; it was the first time you spoke to the world from this platform after the 12-day attack. An attack in which a large number of your defense and missile systems were destroyed, and also strikes were made on Hamas and Hezbollah. These events, in a way, show a change in the equations of the Middle East. Given all these events, what is your country's position today?

The process that took place caused our country to gain more strength and cohesion. Today, if you look, in all international forums, our athletes, scientists, students and pupils show special respect for the flag and national anthem in competitions. A very good unity and unity has been formed within the country, and internal cohesion has increased. Finally, the process that led to the 12-day attack caused even those who previously had a position on the country or sometimes complained about our performance to come together and stand behind the Supreme Leader and firmly defend Iran’s integrity and their rights and freedoms in one voice. This was a great achievement in creating internal cohesion and unity, which was achieved because of an attack that the Zionist regime carried out and should not have carried out.

This regime violated laws that are unacceptable in any international framework, but it attacked anyway. In addition to targeting our centers and hitting our scientists, it also attacked our people. In my speech to the General Assembly, I showed pictures of families who lost their lives during these incidents. These events are unacceptable in any legal or international framework.

You may have a military dispute with a country, but you should not bomb innocent people and cause them to lose their lives. This is happening not only in Tehran, but also in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria. Unfortunately, the Zionist regime does not respect any of the frameworks of international law and is supported by some countries. This is not acceptable in any way. The hatred that has been created in the world today towards the Zionist regime is unprecedented and exceptional.

President Trump said at the United Nations that his position is very simple; he claims that the world's largest sponsor of terrorism should not be allowed to possess nuclear weapons. He also said that Iran's nuclear program cannot be rebuilt and that the United States will not tolerate such a program. Dr. Pezhakian, what is your reaction to these statements?

This issue is very clear to us. Since I took office, and even before that, the Supreme Leader had officially announced that the Islamic Republic has no place for nuclear weapons in its doctrine. We have announced this basis throughout our talks and negotiations, and we are announcing the same today. We have stated it very clearly in the talks we have had with various parties, and we have also emphasized in the United Nations that we are ready to provide inspectors with all the centers that are thought to have been created for the production of nuclear weapons to assess, and we have no problem in this regard.

But what the other side is doing is creating an unrealistic illusion in the world.

We are fully prepared to assure the world that we are not and will not be seeking nuclear weapons in any way, but the actions they have taken against us have been against all commitments and principles. There was no reason for Iran to go towards a nuclear weapon, and yet there were violations that should not have happened.

One of the reasons that the US intelligence agencies and the International Atomic Energy Agency have put forward in this regard is that the enrichment has reached a level of 60% and some facilities are located deep in the ground; these facts have led many to believe that the goal was to pursue a nuclear weapon and not a peaceful nuclear program. What is your opinion on this?

Look, it is true that we may not need that level of enrichment, that is, 60%, but we accepted the JCPOA agreement at that time and the Agency also had complete supervision of our facilities according to the same frameworks that were set. Whether in underground facilities or above ground, they came and inspected them whenever they wanted.

It was the US that tore up the JCPOA; That is, the same agreement that we were operating under, and the monitoring was also carried out under the framework of the Agency. After the US withdrew from the JCPOA, European companies that had come to Iran to cooperate were forced to leave the country one by one. They did not implement any of the commitments they had accepted. When they did not fulfill their commitments, our experts naturally continued their path outside those frameworks.

We have also announced in the current talks that we can present everything we have in the negotiation process and based on the same frameworks, provided that our international rights are maintained within the framework of the NPT and under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency. If these frameworks are observed, we have no problem. All cases can be evaluated and can be dealt with according to the same principles.

The problem started when they not only did not respect those frameworks with us, but they imposed new sanctions on us every day and tried to put more pressure on us and instill the mentality in the world that Iran was seeking nuclear weapons.

In the talks we had here, I myself spoke with the French President and proposed methods to solve the problem, which were accepted by the French side. They also spoke with the American side, but unfortunately the American side did not accept. Despite the agreement of the Europeans, the United States refused to accept. If this process continues and they want to impose new sanctions against us, the issue will naturally become more complicated.

With all this, will your country agree to limit the enrichment percentage to single-digit levels and place all nuclear facilities on the ground, like most nuclear facilities in the world?

We have acted based on the same international framework; we have been under the supervision of the Agency and are members of the NPT. Why did they come and even hit our underground facilities? Had we done something wrong? Even if something wrong had happened, does this Zionist regime have the right to interfere? It is not a member of the NPT, it has a nuclear arsenal and has weapons; why are they not being dealt with? What right did it have to come and bomb our nuclear facilities and ultimately no one will condemn it? We are ready to present everything that is necessary within the framework of international law and act according to that framework; in that case, we will have no problem.

In a period of about 60 or 90 days before the attack on Iran, President Trump, along with Israel, tried to convey the message that inspections should be carried out at any time and anywhere at Iranian facilities. Their concern was raised that Iran was approaching the breakout point for rapid acquisition of nuclear weapons. Because Iran did not give in to these demands, the attacks began at that time!

This is not the case at all; First, the Agency has been visiting our facilities regularly and has produced reports that contradict what some are saying. We have been talking to the US and have announced that we are ready to provide clarification.

The Agency is responsible for the assessment and has not yet produced any report that shows that Iran was seeking nuclear weapons. It has come and assessed many times and all the reports have shown that Iran has acted within the accepted frameworks; but unfortunately, while we were ready to provide this clarification, the attack began.

One of the reasons given for the attacks was that Israeli intelligence agents had infiltrated your country and had obtained information about places, people and other matters. Is this still a security challenge for Iran? Do you believe that Israeli spies or intelligence networks are still active inside Iran and that they need to be confronted?

Well, this shows that the Zionist regime is an aggressor. This regime is acting completely contrary to the framework of international law; isn’t this enough to understand that it is the main cause of unrest in the region? This regime has attacked Gaza, attacked Lebanon, attacked Syria, attacked Iran, even attacked Qatar; in fact, it has been the source of unrest in the region.

On the other hand, we in Iran are acting completely within the framework of international law, but they claim that Iran wants to disrupt the region. We want to live in peace and tranquility with all nations and our neighbors. We are not seeking nuclear weapons and we have clearly stated that this issue is one of our firm beliefs in terms of belief, as the Supreme Leader has said, and no one in our country can act against this belief.

We are ready for responsible international organizations to come and make the necessary assessments. We have announced this readiness and it has also been raised in the talks, but while the talks were ongoing, the Zionist regime launched its attack.

If we want to look to the future, Steve Whittaker, the US President’s special envoy, has announced that the United States is talking to Iran. This is while the Supreme Leader of the Revolution has made it clear that there is no need for talks and that these talks are of no use to Iran. Doesn’t this stance make your work more difficult in the path of diplomatic interactions, especially in a situation where many countries want talks?

We did not run away from talks; we were negotiating when they attacked. The trend that has developed today is that a kind of distrust has arisen in our country due to the other side’s breach of promises and failure to adhere to what it says. This distrust has led our politicians, especially the Supreme Leader, to believe that America does not really want to solve the problem; America wants to spread unrest in our country and the region, especially through support for Israel.

We have never shied away from dialogue. We have already negotiated with them many times regarding the snapback issue that they intend to implement. We have discussed all possible conditions with them. We have even reached understandings with the Europeans, but America did not accept it and now wants to implement snapback. Will snapback solve the problem? In my opinion, this will only worsen the situation.

Regarding the mechanism for the rapid return of sanctions, known as snapback, I know that Russia and China tried to delay its implementation. Three proposed frameworks have been put forward to postpone or completely eliminate the return of sanctions; First, complete assessments and inspections, second, clarifying the status of the several hundred pounds of enriched uranium that Tehran is said to have moved before the attacks, and third, starting talks with the United States. Do you agree with these three steps so that the snapback can be postponed?

We have had these talks with the other side and are ready to present everything about the enrichment that has been done and have it examined in the framework of the talks. When we say that our goal is not to build a nuclear bomb, we are stating this claim clearly and based on conviction and we have no intention of doing so. Instead of trying to solve the problem, the other side is complicating the process; there is no need for a snapback, because we are ready to sit down and talk.

Attacking, destroying, and killing civilians and then making an unrealistic show on the international stage that Iran is seeking nuclear weapons is unacceptable. We are ready for any cooperation and verification within the framework of international law, but if they want to announce a snapback and increase pressure, they will effectively close the channels of dialogue.

Is Iran committed to rebuilding what was destroyed in the recent attacks? Some people, especially Iranians living in the United States, are asking the question: if the nuclear program is truly peaceful, why is it still being pursued at such a huge cost despite heavy economic pressures? Why is the country’s resources being spent on developing this program instead of focusing on solving economic problems, reducing inflation, and improving the livelihoods of the people?

The problem for us, who want to improve the economy, is that the United States has interfered in the country’s internal affairs in various ways since the very beginning of the revolution. First, they started stirring up ethnic disputes and then attempted a coup, which failed. Then they imposed an imposed war on us, and then, by inciting and supporting groups and factions that intended to create division, more than 20,000 street assassinations were carried out against the country’s figures and activists. All of this was designed to make us unable to stand on our own feet.

This process has nothing to do with our efforts for peaceful nuclear activities. Our nuclear activities are essential for medicine, agriculture, industry and other issues that we face today. In medicine, many diagnoses require nuclear technologies, and the situation is the same in agriculture and industry. We were only doing as much activity as was necessary for domestic needs.

But the US is trying to impose more sanctions on us day by day. If we assume that the US wants to prevent us from acquiring nuclear weapons, which we ourselves have no such intention, what reason does it have to close the country's medicine, trade and economy and impose widespread sanctions? From a scientific perspective, the sanctions imposed by the US cause more hidden and widespread death and damage in society than war. Why should the US try to sanction countries and even pressure countries that want to do business with Iran? What is the logic behind these measures?

When a country is prepared to operate within the framework of international law and not do anything outside that framework, why should it be treated in a double-edged manner? Why should international principles and rules be applied in a way that selectively applies against us?

Some believe that for peaceful uses, there is no need to enrich uranium to these percentages, and if Iran’s nuclear facilities and programs were located above ground instead of deep underground, perhaps it would not be possible to paralyze areas such as agriculture, medicine, and other domestic needs in this way. On the other hand, President Trump has said that he wants to open the doors of global trade to Iran and see Iran as part of a strong and growing Middle East economy. Would you be willing to discuss this possible opening directly with the US President or his special envoy, Mr. Steve Whittaker?

You see, what is at stake in terms of economic issues is that we want our country to have relations with the whole world. We are not looking to create unrest, either at home or abroad. But these kinds of actions will cause problems in our country. The US President has announced that Iran should not acquire nuclear weapons. Well, we do not want to acquire them. We are ready for an assessment. If they are truly honest in what they say, we have also honestly announced that we are ready to cooperate.

So why is it necessary to intensify sanctions? If they say they do not want Iran to acquire nuclear weapons, we also say we do not want them. So what does this behavior mean?

In Iran, according to surveys that have been conducted, more than 50 percent of people have said that we should develop nuclear weapons in order to be able to withstand these pressures. This is while there is no such approach in the doctrine of the Islamic Republic and in the policies of the Supreme Leader. We do not want to move towards nuclear weapons in any way.

It is not difficult to verify and evaluate this issue. Therefore, if they are truly honest, let them treat us based on the same international frameworks. First, show us their honesty so that we know that they have no ill will towards us. In that case, we are also ready to carry out our activities in the global economic cycle.

Dear Dr. Pezhakian, one of the trends currently underway in the Middle East is the possible reopening of talks on the so-called "Abraham" agreements after the end of the war between Israel and Gaza. In this regard, speculation has also been raised about the beginning of new talks between the Zionist regime and Saudi Arabia, and there is even talk of the possibility of talks with Syria or the formation of defense understandings between some players in the region. There are also signs that many countries in your region are focusing on regional and international agreements and understandings aimed at economic prosperity. What is your reaction and assessment of these developments?

The problems in the region are rooted. I am a doctor and I believe that until the root cause of this problem is addressed, symptomatic treatment can never eliminate the existing pathology. The current trend is Israeli oppression and crimes against the people of Gaza, Lebanon and Palestine. Until we accept to treat people based on justice, any plan or solution we present will be scientifically doomed to failure, because the root and essence of the problem is the humiliation of humans; we expel a group from their land, we deprive some of them of development, and many of the problems in the region arise from these injustices and oppressions that have occurred so far and continue.

Imagine children starving in Gaza, hospitals and schools destroyed, and journalists killed. Even if peace were to be restored today, what was inside the people who lived in those conditions and were under pressure will never be forgotten and may one day manifest itself in a different form. The cause of this situation must be removed, otherwise, if these behaviors continue, even if the goals are achieved now, they will face problems in the future.

Does your vision for the future of the region include a situation in which the Zionist regime can continue to exist alongside other countries in the region and its neighbors?

Anyone who violates these rules and acts in a way that forces people to react will definitely face problems. This issue goes back to the behavior of the Zionist regime and the way it deals with the people of the region. This issue cannot be resolved by simply saying, approving or denying. The conflict that has now developed in the region and the hatred that has been created in the minds of the people of the region will not disappear anytime soon. If Israel wants to stay in the region, it must respect the legal and humanitarian frameworks.

We have all seen and heard the slogans of death to Israel and death to America, we have seen Hezbollah and Hamas, what destruction and disaster they brought on October 7; this is a double-edged sword. Do you agree with this suggestion of mine? Does this suggestion have any validity?

Look, as I said, these are the effects, not the cause. We must ask why Hezbollah, Hamas or other groups reacted. What is the reason for these behaviors? Were they crazy? Absolutely not. When someone is evicted from their home, when they want to humiliate them, or demolish their home on their head, any human being may react. Even if their name is not Hamas or Hezbollah, something else will develop. This is a human reaction to a type of behavior that is not based on justice and mutual respect.

If we want peace in the region, we must respect each other. We must not force or bully each other. When interactions are based on respect, peace will automatically form.

Let me ask you about the commitment and alliance you have with China and Russia; given what happened in Iran and the attacks that led to the destruction of half of groups like the Houthis, Hezbollah, Hamas, which in general can be said to have seriously crippled a large number of foreign armed networks linked to Iran; during that 12-day war, Russia and China did not come to your aid. What is your response to this?

Look, we are looking to rely on our internal strength and cohesion. We are not attached to anyone. Our internal cohesion and national strength have become greater than before after the war, because people realized that what some people were saying was not true. That utopia that talked about democracy, human rights, and humanity, while in the lands under their control, children and women are easily killed and destroyed, has now become completely clear to our people that it was a lie.

This cohesion has clearly been formed both within the country and among the people. Perhaps in those media structures that you imagine, they have tried to destroy it, but something else has grown in the hearts of the people; the belief that words like civilization, human rights, and humanity, which are repeatedly repeated by some countries, are not real.

Something happened in our country. A person, rightly or wrongly, lost his life. Europe, America and some countries have ruined the earth and time when Iran has not respected human rights and has ignored the rights of a human being. Let us assume that this is true and we have ignored the rights of a human being, but today in Gaza they have bombed and massacred more than 65 thousand people. Many people are dying of hunger. They have destroyed hospitals, hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced and the number of injured has reached several hundred thousand.

Where are the human rights, democracy and humanity that they talk about? Why does no one think about these people? Why have they blocked the way for water, food, bread and medicine to the people? Where is this humanity? Where are these democracy and human rights? If we made a mistake, let's say 10 mistakes, can this civilized world bring such a disaster to the people before our eyes, just because of the mistake of a few people, which in my opinion was a reaction to continuous pressure?

Our relations with neighboring countries have improved significantly. They thought that Iran was the cause of insecurity in the region, but we have declared that we are friends and brothers with all our neighbors, that we respect the territorial integrity of all countries, and that we do not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries within the framework of international law. We want to live in peace and tranquility with the world. The one who has made the region insecure is the Zionist regime; that regime has attacked other countries, not Iran. We have not attacked any country and we will not attack. We are simply defending ourselves.

Let me raise another issue; I have a couple of questions left, and I really appreciate your time. President Trump said this week that Ukraine can defeat Russia and take back all of its territory with the help of the European Union and NATO, and he believes that those territories can be returned. Given that you have provided equipment to Russia and supported them, do you agree with that assessment, Mr. Trump? Do you believe that Ukraine can win this war?

We think that dialogue is better than war. We can say that dialogue is the best way to resolve issues within the framework of international law. Conflict and conflict begin when those rules are violated and everyone wants to act according to their own will and impose them by force on the other side, but if people work together based on international frameworks and laws and accept to act within that framework, there should be no war in principle.

War occurs when I do not respect my own rights and whenever I feel like it, I attack the rights of others. The discussion of Ukraine and Russia is exactly the same. In my opinion, they should sit down and protect each other's rights within the framework of international law.

Another question, Doctor, continuing the discussion about Israel; I asked before your presence whether you believe that Israel should have a right to exist and you answered that their behavior should change. Can you imagine a future in which Iran and Israel both exist in peace and tranquility?

The problem is that those who are ruling there now are committing genocide. Someone who commits genocide and does not respect any of the frameworks of international law is in a way destroying themselves. We are not going to attack a country or start a war; We have never been the initiator of war and we will never be, but the Zionist regime attacks and starts wars wherever it wants.

But Israel does not agree with your statement and they feel that Iran has been aggressive through its proxies throughout the Middle East; a few days ago the Houthis attacked American ships and in the early 2000s dozens of American officers and soldiers were killed. What is your response to these claims?

This is the mentality that the Zionist regime instills; they say Iran did this and they have to prove that Iran was involved. We defend the oppressed and what we do is defense; we defend those who have been expelled from their lands, but to claim that we send people to assassinate or kill people is not true. If you look at all the assassinations and killings that have been committed in the world, can you find an Iranian who was responsible for them? It is very easy to assess; whether in America, Europe or elsewhere, those who carry out such actions with a violent and violent ideology have nothing to do with us. It is easy to make accusations, but we are not the ones who destroy and annihilate.

I understand your point of view, but the American intelligence agencies have a completely different point of view, as do the American military, as well as the people who lost their lives and their survivors. My question to you is that Mr. President, you came to the office of the President as a reformist, and many people are following and have followed this women's liberation movement in Iran. What do you wish to see for women, Iranian ladies, in terms of their greater freedom?

Women in Iran now have greater freedom. There are currently four or five women in our government, which has never been the case in any previous government. We will protect and defend the rights of all individuals within the framework of our own regulations. At the same time, in principle, we must respect the culture and beliefs of every society. Development does not mean insulting the culture of others or having them disrespect our culture. Development means mutual respect between people, not fighting and conflict.

I remember that in a volleyball match between Iran and the United States, during the holy month of Ramadan, the players were fasting. The same Americans left water bottles on the side of the field, and when the call to prayer was given, the fasting players drank water. This was only a matter of respect for the other side. Those who were not required to fast were not fasting, but they respected the other side's beliefs.

Living together in a global environment, we must respect each other and try not to ridicule or mock each other's culture and customs. If we can reach such an understanding and perspective, there will be no more fighting.

I think there is great respect in this country for all religions and respect for their traditions. Do you believe that hijab should be mandatory or that each Iranian woman should have the right to make her own decision regarding hijab?

I do not believe in coercion, nor do I consider it an enforcement. There is no such thing in the process that we are following. You can never force someone to do something. But maintaining dignity and respecting cultures is an expectation that we should have from each other.