Khatibzadeh: Nukes have no place in Iran’s defense doctrine

He said the Islamic Republic of Iran has always emphasized at its highest levels that in accordance with the fatwa issued by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei banning the production and use of nuclear weapons, it will not seek to build nuclear weapons and that these weapons have no place in the country’s defense doctrine.

The Islamic Republic of Iran, as a responsible member of the Non-Proliferation Treaty and a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency, has always cooperated properly with this technical and specialized body within the framework of the Safeguards Agreement and has fully adhered to its obligations, and showed goodwill until one year after the illegal and irresponsible withdrawal of the United States from the JCPOA, he added.

Khatibzadeh stated that Iran welcomes the intention of the other parties to fully return to fulfilling their obligations, adding that the criterion for Iran is the action of the other party.

Contrary to its stated policy, the new U.S. administration continues to pursue a policy of maximum pressure that led to new sanctions or the re-imposition of previously lifted sanctions, he stated.

The Foreign Ministry spokesman further emphasized that after the necessary time for the formation of the new Iranian administration and conducting necessary reviews, and after consulting with partners and consultations with the coordinator of the JCPOA Joint Commission, it was announced that negotiations to remove sanctions will begin before the end of November.

Regarding what was announced in the statement of the leaders of the four countries about the production of enriched uranium metal and high-enriched uranium, Khatibzadeh clarified that contrary to the statement, production of uranium metal and high-enriched uranium, as previously stated, was for peaceful purposes and had civilian uses, including medical use and refueling of Tehran’s research reactor.

It should be noted that such positions that do not correspond with reality will not have constructive results, he said.

The foreign ministry spokesman said the so-called nuclear crisis, which is exaggerated in this statement, is no more than a fabricated and propaganda crisis.

Khatibzadeh stressed that the current situation is the result of irresponsibility and non-compliance with commitments by the governments issuing this statement, and the illegal withdrawal and violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2231 of 2015 by the U.S. government and inaction of the European parties in fulfilling their obligations.