Iran Denies Nuclear Weapon Ambition, Says It Will Dilute Uranium

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian affirmed in a Fox News interview that Iran does not aim to develop nuclear weapons, asserting that the country is open to reducing its highly enriched uranium stockpile and permitting international verification. The statement came following a direct question from Fox News anchor Bret Baier about Iran's stance on nuclear weapons.

Pezeshkian cited his supreme leader's previous declarations that possessing a nuclear bomb is against religious principles and is illegal. When questioned about the recent concealment of uranium enriched to 60 percent beneath a mountain, Pezeshkian stated that Iran is willing to dilute the material and submit itself to verification processes.

Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, but the United States and its allies have contested this claim, arguing that uranium enrichment to 60 percent serves no civilian purpose. Pezeshkian also criticized the US for avoiding negotiations and initiating military attacks against Iran, stating that such actions are inappropriate on the global stage.

The interview took place amid ongoing indirect talks between Iran and the United States aimed at establishing a comprehensive nuclear agreement following a recent escalation in hostilities. On February 28, the United States and Israel launched military strikes targeting Iranian nuclear and military facilities, resulting in the deaths of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, several key military and nuclear officials, and causing damage to sites in Natanz, Arak, and Ardakan. The conflict followed a previous 12-day Israeli airstrike campaign against Iran in June 2025.

Pezeshkian's remarks reflect Iran's ongoing willingness to engage in diplomatic dialogue regarding its nuclear program, even as tensions persist with the United States and its allies.