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Iran is not seeking nuclear weapons and is prepared to reach a “peaceful” nuclear agreement with the United States, Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said Tuesday.
Speaking at the 12th Abu Dhabi Strategic Debate, Khatibzadeh emphasized that Tehran’s nuclear program is peaceful and based entirely on domestic capabilities.
“Nuclear weapons are not part of Iran’s program,” he said, adding that Iran is “very proud of its home-grown nuclear program.”
Khatibzadeh accused the United States of sending “contradictory messages” about nuclear negotiations through third parties, saying Washington was “betraying diplomacy.”
He noted that reaching an agreement is only possible within the directives of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has consistently called for dialogue based on mutual respect.
“Iran will not compromise on its national security issues,” he said.
The deputy minister’s remarks come as indirect nuclear diplomacy between Tehran and Washington remains stalled following Israeli attacks in mid-June, just two days before the scheduled sixth round of talks mediated by Oman.
The attacks triggered a 12-day war between Iran and Israel, leaving more than 1,000 people dead in Iran, including senior commanders.
Iran and the US previously held five rounds of indirect talks aimed at resolving long-standing disputes over Tehran’s nuclear program.
Major differences persist, including the issue of uranium enrichment on Iranian soil, which Washington wants to eliminate to minimize weaponization risks; a proposal Tehran rejects.
Khatibzadeh reiterated that any agreement must align with Khamenei’s position. Last week, the Supreme Leader ruled out negotiations with the US “under threat.”
Iran maintains that it continues to uphold its obligations as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and defends its uranium enrichment up to 60 percent purity.
Western governments and the U.N. nuclear agency have questioned Iran’s nuclear activities, accusing Tehran of seeking the capacity to produce weapons; allegations Iran denies.
President Donald Trump said in October that the United States was prepared to make a deal with Iran “when Tehran was ready to do so,” adding, “The hand of friendship and cooperation with Iran is open.”
On Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran’s relationship with Washington is defined by “long historical experience,” adding that the U.S. “attacked Iran, boasts about it, and then claims readiness for negotiations.”
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