Tehran, July 24, 2025 – The Europe Today: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has strongly dismissed any suggestion that Iran’s nuclear program could be dismantled under external pressure, calling such notions a mere “illusion.” In his first televised interview since the June conflict with Israel, aired by Qatar’s Al Jazeera TV on Wednesday, the president stressed that Iran’s nuclear program remains intact and continues in accordance with international law.
Pezeshkian underlined that negotiations over Iran’s nuclear activities must follow a “win-win” logic, rejecting threats and unilateral demands. “We emphasize the continuation of Iran’s nuclear program and uranium enrichment within the framework of international law,” he stated.
The remarks come in the wake of a 12-day war between Iran and Israel that began on June 13 and ended with a ceasefire. The United States entered the conflict shortly before it concluded, targeting three of Iran’s nuclear facilities — Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz — in what Washington claimed was an effort to halt Iran’s path toward nuclear weapons.
President Pezeshkian refuted claims made by former U.S. President Donald Trump that the attacks had ended Iran’s nuclear activities. “Trump’s claim that our nuclear program is over is just an illusion,” he said. “Our nuclear capabilities are not in the facilities, but in the minds of our scientists.”
He reiterated Iran’s longstanding position that it does not seek nuclear weapons, referencing the country’s religious principles and defense doctrine. “We reject nuclear weapons. This is our political, religious, humanitarian, and strategic position,” he said, echoing statements quoted by Al Jazeera.
Pezeshkian also addressed the broader geopolitical implications of the recent conflict, stating that Israel launched its aggression while Tehran was engaged in dialogue with Washington to reach a new agreement on its nuclear file. He criticized Israel’s actions and warned of Iran’s preparedness to respond to any future aggression.
“Iran is ready for any war Israel might wage against it. Our Armed Forces are fully prepared to strike deep into the Israeli-occupied territories,” he declared, while emphasizing that Tehran does not seek conflict but remains committed to defending its sovereignty.
The president revealed that Iran delivered significant blows to Israel during the 12-day conflict, asserting that the Tel Aviv regime deliberately conceals the extent of the damage. “Israel attempted to destabilize Iran through targeted attacks and chaos, but ultimately failed,” he said.
He also highlighted the regional dynamics of the confrontation, noting Iran’s missile strike on the U.S.-operated Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which he clarified was not aimed at Qatar itself. “Iran did not target Qatar or its people. The strike was a direct response to the U.S. airstrikes on our nuclear facilities,” he said.
Furthermore, Pezeshkian praised the unprecedented support Iran received from neighboring countries during the hostilities, expressing Tehran’s willingness to cooperate with Arab nations in establishing a collective regional security framework.
“We believe in diplomacy. Future negotiations must be conducted on the basis of mutual respect and benefits. We will never accept threats or external dictates,” he concluded.
