Iran does not seek nuclear weapons, Pezeshkian reiterates after fourth round talks

TEHRAN: Iran’s President on Sunday (May 11) claimed his country had no interest in developing nuclear weapons, as fresh talks to resolve the decades-long nuclear dispute between the US and Iran ended in Oman.

Speaking during a cabinet meeting, Masoud Pezeshkian told ministers that Iran was ready to prove “with all its might” that it is not seeking nuclear weapons, but was not willing to concede on developing nuclear technology for healthcare and agriculture amongst other industries.

He said, “In fact, the Islamic Republic of Iran is not seeking nuclear weapons. They (America) said they wanted to be sure that we did not want to acquire nuclear weapons and we were ready with all our might (to prove it), but for them to state and announce that we would abandon the issue of peacefulness in nuclear research, and then for them to want to negotiate with us, is something that is absolutely unacceptable.”

Earlier on Sunday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and US President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff held the fourth round of nuclear talks in Muscat through Omani mediators, despite Washington taking a tough stance in public that Iranian officials said would not help the negotiations.

“We do not run away from dialogue, but there is no doubt in our belief that we are not seeking nuclear weapons and mass destruction, and this is based on the fatwa of the Supreme Leader, but we will not stop our scientific research and studies, and our efforts in relation to peaceful nuclear work,” President Pezeshkian said.

Further negotiations are planned, officials said.

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