Iranian Officials Respond to Donald Trump's Remarks: 'We Have Never Sought Nuclear Weapons'

Donald Trump's recent comments about his willingness to engage in dialogue with his Iranian counterpart and the signing of a memorandum to reinstate the 'maximum pressure' policy against Tehran to prevent it from acquiring nuclear weapons have drawn reactions from officials of the Islamic Republic. On Wednesday, February 6, the Iranian Foreign Minister stated that if the U.S. President's issue with Iran is nuclear weapons, this matter is 'not complicated and can be resolved.' Abbas Araqchi referred to Iran's membership in the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and what he called the 'fatwa' of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic regarding the 'forbidden' nature of seeking such weapons, describing Iran's position as 'peaceful use of nuclear energy.' Trump stated that he has given instructions that if Iran attempts to assassinate him, it will be obliterated. In response to the signing of the U.S. presidential memorandum regarding the imposition of 'maximum pressure' on Tehran, he claimed that these sanctions are a 'failed method' and repeating them will yield nothing but 'previous failures.' On February 5, after issuing a memorandum to revive 'maximum pressure' on Iran, the U.S. President said his order in this regard is very strict, but he is willing to meet with the Iranian President to encourage Tehran to abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons. He also noted that he was 'hesitant' to issue the presidential memorandum and expressed hope that it would not need to be used. The U.S. President reiterated that Iran should not acquire nuclear weapons and added that it is our right to prevent the sale of Iranian oil. Masoud Pezeshkian, the Iranian President, responded to these remarks on February 6, stating that 'America says we impose sanctions, but if we manage our own resources and work properly with our neighbors and interact, how can a country with 15 friends and neighboring countries be easily sanctioned?' He further stated, 'They think everything we have depends on oil and want to stop it, but for us and our people, there are many paths.' Pezeshkian did not provide details on how to 'manage resources' and 'interact with neighbors' and the 'many paths' he referred to. Mohammad Eslami, the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, also reacted to Trump's remarks, considering the working relationship with the International Atomic Energy Agency as 'another sign of the peaceful nature' of Iran's nuclear program. Ismail Baqaei, the spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, called reports of Iran building nuclear weapons a 'big lie' and stated, 'If someone seeks assurance on such a matter, it is easily obtainable.' Meanwhile, the New York Times reported a day earlier, on the eve of the U.S. presidential memorandum, citing American sources that the Islamic Republic of Iran is 'trying to achieve a primitive and undeveloped nuclear weapon using quicker and shortcut methods.' In another development, Mohammad Reza Aref, the First Vice President of Iran, also commented on Trump's statements about the desire to meet with Pezeshkian, without mentioning the U.S. President's name, saying, 'A meeting between two humans may happen, but today it is not on the agenda of the Islamic Republic.' Aref also added that the Islamic Republic of Iran has a fatwa regarding nuclear weapons that 'must be followed' and emphasizes that the use of nuclear weapons is prohibited. The Iranian government spokesperson also reacted to Donald Trump's expression of willingness to meet with Masoud Pezeshkian, stating that Iran's relations with other countries are based on three principles: 'dignity, wisdom, and expediency.' While there have been repeated rumors about the possibility of a meeting between Iranian and American leaders, especially on the sidelines of the annual UN General Assembly, this has not yet happened. Observers believe the main reason for this is the 'Supreme Leader's opposition' to such a meeting.