Pezeshkian: Iran Seeks Diplomatic Resolution of Nuclear Issue

The Iranian president made the comments at a meeting with United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China, on Monday.

Pezeshkian expressed his appreciation for the UN chief’s stance regarding the crimes committed by the Zionist regime against Palestinians in Gaza and the recent attacks on Iran, describing his statements as constructive and necessary.

He also urged the UN to take a firmer position in condemning the Zionist regime’s crimes against Palestinians and other countries in the region. Pezeshkian stressed that international organizations, particularly the United Nations, are expected to take more practical and decisive measures in response to the provocations and destabilizing actions of the Israeli regime across the region.

The president noted that Iran came under aggressive attacks by the Zionist regime even while engaged in negotiations with the United States.

He stated that Iran has long been a primary victim of terrorism, with many senior officials and prominent figures martyred in terrorist attacks. “Today, the Zionist regime kills whomever it chooses, anywhere in the region, under the pretext of self-defense,” he said, highlighting the ongoing threat posed by the regime.

Pezeshkian also criticized the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and its director general, noting that Iran has been subject to the most extensive and rigorous inspections worldwide.

Yet the IAEA has refused to condemn Israeli attacks on Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities, which operate entirely under IAEA supervision, the president said, describing such inaction as a violation of international norms and frameworks and stressing that the agency continues to avoid accountability for these attacks.

Referring to the law passed by the Iranian parliament to suspend cooperation with the IAEA in response to the agency’s untrustworthy actions, Pezeshkian clarified that the Supreme National Security Council has been tasked with determining the scope and manner of Iran’s future engagement with the organization.

He added that this approach ensures constructive and effective cooperation while reaffirming Iran’s commitment to resolving the matter through diplomatic means.

For his part, Guterres expressed his personal conviction that Iran is not pursuing nuclear weapons and that its nuclear program is peaceful. “I believe that Iran’s intentions are not to produce nuclear weapons, and its peaceful nuclear program is a legitimate right that I fully recognize,” he stated.

Guterres also expressed concern over the possible activation of the so-called snapback mechanism under the JCPOA, saying he had communicated with European officials and urged them to cooperate with Iran to address the issue.