Pezeshkian: If Iran sought nuclear weapons, it would not have joined NPT

President Masoud Pezeshkian has rejected claims that Iran is seeking nuclear weapons, stressing that Tehran has consistently operated within international law and would not have joined the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) if it had been pursuing such weapons.

Speaking to India Today on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in New Delhi, Pezeshkian said Iran’s nuclear activities had been subject to extensive international monitoring and inspections.

“We were ready, and they would come every day to inspect and visit. We were working and are working within the framework of international laws. If we were seeking nuclear weapons, we would not have become a member of the NPT,” he said.

The president said allegations concerning Iran’s nuclear program were being used as “pretexts” to justify aggression against the country.

Pezeshkian also rejected claims that Iran had initiated the ongoing war, saying the United States and Israel had started the war and that Tehran had only defended itself against attacks.

“We did not start the war. The criminal United States and Israel started it,” he said.

He pointed out that the US-Israeli assaults killed Iran’s leaders and commanders, children at a school and scientists, while also destroying infrastructure, describing such actions as incompatible with international and humanitarian law.

While Pezeshkian made clear that Iran does not seek war, he asserted that the country will not surrender under sanctions or pressure either, including restrictions affecting food and medicine.

Pezeshkian urges BRICS to build resilient trade network, expand national-currency use

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has stressed the importance of using national currencies in trade among BRICS members, noting that economic security is an integral part of the national and regional security.

On regional relations, the president said Iran has friendly relations with neighboring countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Qatar, as well as with Russia and China. He called US military bases in the region the main source of problems.

Turning to BRICS, Pezeshkian said the bloc could help countries counter unilateral sanctions and reduce dependence on a system in which one country can impose restrictions on others.

“We have gathered here to help each other, find a way and support each other so that we can stand against this totalitarianism and unilateralism,” he said.

He said that Iran was ready to revive its geopolitical potential as a transportation and connectivity hub linking north with south and east with west.

“We are fully ready to revive this route and join hands,” he added.

The 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit was held in New Delhi on September 12-13 under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”

Originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, BRICS expanded in 2024 to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, with Indonesia joining in 2025. Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam became partner countries last year.

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