Iranian President States Iran Will Not Seek Nuclear Weapons at UN

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reaffirmed at the United Nations General Assembly that Iran has never pursued and will never seek to develop nuclear weapons, a stance based on a fatwa from Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Despite international concerns and the potential reimposition of sanctions triggered by European powers under the 2015 nuclear deal, Iran maintains that its nuclear program is peaceful. The snapback mechanism for sanctions, initiated by Britain, France, and Germany, could soon be enforced due to Iran's uranium enrichment activities and lack of compliance with the deal. Pezeshkian criticized the European countries for acting in bad faith following the U.S. withdrawal from the agreement and pointed to Khamenei's rejection of direct talks with the United States, which limits diplomatic resolutions. The international community demands Iran allow full access to U.N. inspectors and clarify its uranium stockpile to avoid sanctions. Iran uniquely enriches uranium up to 60 percent without declaring a weapons program, intensifying global scrutiny.