Pezeshkian: Talk of ending Iran’s nuclear program is a mere “illusion”

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that Iran is ready to counter any military action by the Israeli regime, describing claims about the destruction of the nuclear program of the Islamic Republic as an illusion.

President Masoud Pezeshkian says any talk of ending Iran’s nuclear program is a mere “illusion,” emphasizing that negotiations over the program should be conducted on a win-win basis.

Iranian President made the remarks in an exclusive interview with Qatar’s Al Jazeera TV network, which was aired Wednesday, IRNA reported.

“[U.S. President Donald] Trump says that Iran should not have a nuclear weapon and we accept this because we reject nuclear weapons and this is our political, religious, humanitarian and strategic position,” Al Jazeera quoted President Pezeshkian.

We emphasize the continuation of Iran's nuclear program and uranium enrichment within the framework of international law, he added.

He also rejected Trump’s claims that Iran’s nuclear program has ended because of the U.S. airstrikes on the three facilities of Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz.

Trump’s claim “that our nuclear program is over is just an illusion,” he said, adding that Iran’s nuclear capabilities are in the minds of its scientists and not in the facilities.

Pezeshkian said that Iran believes in diplomacy, therefore “any future negotiations must be according to a win-win logic, and we will not accept threats and dictates.”

Also in his interview, Pezeshkian said that Iran is ready for any war Israel might wage against it, with the Armed Forces being fully prepared to strike deep inside the Israeli-occupied territories.

The Iranian president note that Iran does not seek war and does not assume that the ceasefire with Israel is permanent. However, he added, Iran will defend its territory with full strength and will never surrender.