On September 24, speaking before the United Nations General Assembly, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran would not seek to make nuclear bombs, stressing Tehrans goal of developing nuclear for peaceful purposes.
Mr. Pezeshkian criticized the UK, France and Germany as these countries pushed for the restoration of UN sanctions on Iran, saying they were acting under US direction.
According to the Iranian president, Europe's accusation of Tehran violating the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA) is "unwilling", because the US itself unilaterally withdrew from the deal under President Donald Trump.
The statement comes amid the September 27 deadline for European powers to decide to restore the approaching sanctions. If activated, the measures would freeze Iranian assets abroad, prevent arms trafficking and sanction Tehran's missile program.
In his speech, Mr. Pezeshkian strongly condemned Israel and the US for the military attacks that killed more than 1,000 Irans in the 12-day war earlier this year. He accused Israel of seeking to impose a plan for "Great Israel" by occupying Palestinian territory and attacking neighboring countries.
The Iranian people have never and will never bow their heads to submit, he stressed, praising the peoples strength in war.
A day earlier, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also affirmed that Iran was not looking to make nuclear weapons, but denied the possibility of direct negotiations with the US, calling it an imposecution.
At the end of his speech, President Pezeshkian called on countries to cooperate with Iran, pledging that Tehran is a credible partner for all peace-loving countries.
His message was viewed by observers as both to reduce international pressure and reassure domestic public opinion, in the context of the Iranian economy facing more than 40% inflation and a sharp decline in the common cold.
