February 18, 2021
2 mins read

Iran won’t pursue nuclear weapons

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani reiterated that the Islamic Republic’s “definite” determination not to produce or store weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), including nuclear weapons, official news agency IRNA reported.

“As we have said many times, in our country’s defence program, there is no place for weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons, and this is a definite decision of the system,” he said in a cabinet meeting in Tehran on Wednesday, Xinhua news agency reported.

Rouhani said this is not a new or recent decision, because Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and late Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani underlined nearly 30 years ago that Iran will not pursue nuclear weapons.

However, Iran has ever since intended to develop “peaceful nuclear technologies” as it is right as a member of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and signatory to a safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), he added.

A demilitarized, commercial launch of the Russian Strategic Rocket Forces R-36 ICBM; also known by the NATO reporting name: SS-18 Satan. Upon its first fielding in the late 1960s, the SS-18 remains the single highest throw weight missile delivery system ever built. (Wikipedia)

Iran’s president also reiterated that Tehran will not accept any changes in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) agreed in 2015 after intensive works between Iran and six world powers, neither will negotiate its national defence program.

Meanwhile, Rouhani said that Iran vowed to return to compliance with the JCPOA “in a few hours” after sanctions against Iran are lifted, whether this is done step by step by both the U.S. and Iran, or in full and at once.

Regarding Iran’s stated plan to stop the implementation of the IAEA’s Additional Protocol next week, Rouhani said the IAEA inspections will continue on the basis of safeguards agreement, noting the IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi has made a request to travel to Iran.

People wearing face masks walk on a street in Rasht, Iran. Iran’s health ministry warned of the spread of a new Covid-19 variant in the country.

In January, Iran launched 20-percent uranium enrichment process as part of Iran’s Strategic Action Plan to Counter Sanctions, which was approved by parliament in December 2020.

In response to the US withdrawal from the JCPOA in 2018 and re-imposition of sanctions, Iran has suspended implementing parts of its obligations under the agreement.

Also Read-Guterres calls for ‘Global Vaccination Plan’

Previous Story

Guterres calls for ‘Global Vaccination Plan’

Next Story

Indian missions take on criticism

Latest from -Top News

Trump tariffs send world markets into panic

US benchmark crude oil shed $2.70 to $64.25 a barrel after major oil producers announced they plan to increase production. Brent crude, the international standard, was down $2.63 at $67.51 a barrel

EU prepares retaliation for Trump’s tariffs

The European Commission is assembling a fresh round of counter-tariffs aimed at US goods, adding to two existing lists of potential targets—one of which includes products that were hit by suspended tariffs

US, EU slam China’s war games near Taiwan

US President Donald Trump underscored the need to maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait, advocating for a diplomatic approach to cross-strait tensions while warning against the use of force The United States

£13.9 billion of R&D fund to boost innovation, jobs

Funding outlined to support transformational R&D in areas like life sciences, green energy, engineering and beyond More UK innovators like those developing treatment-transforming dementia tests or building world-leading testing facilities to power

OPEC+ accelerates oil output hikes

Despite the production boost, the group emphasised that future adjustments remain flexible and could be paused or reversed depending on market conditions. Eight OPEC+ nations have unexpectedly decided to accelerate their oil
Go toTop