{
  "id": 14998600,
  "title": "Iran not seeking nuclear weapons and ‘ready for dialogue’, Pezeshkian says",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/iran-not-seeking-nuclear-weapons-and-ready-for-dialogue-pezeshkian",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-16T16:44:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Middle East Eye",
    "slug": "middle-east-eye",
    "url": "https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/iran-not-seeking-nuclear-weapons-and-ready-dialogue-pezeshkian-says"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated on Friday that Iran has no intention of acquiring nuclear weapons and is prepared for diplomatic discussions. Pezeshkian expressed this sentiment during talks with Georgia's Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, held at the Convention on Biological Diversity summit in Yerevan, Armenia. The Iranian leader dismissed false allegations against his nation, stating they are \"lies.\"\n\nPezeshkian emphasized that Iran has always been open to dialogue, warning that coercion would not force Tehran to submit. He strongly condemned the unjustifiable and inhumane US sanctions imposed on Iran, accusing the United States of attempting to force the country into surrender. Pezeshkian made these remarks during his meeting with Kobakhidze, weeks after Iran suspended direct flights to Georgia following Tbilisi's decision to comply with US sanctions on Iranian airlines.\n\nIn addition to condemning US sanctions, Pezeshkian called for strengthened ties between Iran and Georgia, highlighting the potential for increased cooperation between the two nations. Georgia's Civil Aviation Agency had announced last month that it would comply with the US sanctions regime, but Kobakhidze maintained that Tbilisi was not imposing its own bilateral sanctions on Tehran.",
  "summary": "Iran not seeking nuclear weapons and ‘ready for dialogue’, Pezeshkian says Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian denied on Friday that Tehran sought nuclear weapons as he expressed readiness for dialogue and condemned US sanctions. “Iran is not seeking nuclear weapons, and we consider the malicious propaganda against our country to be lies,” Pezeshkian said during talks with Georgia's prime…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/14998600.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Ajel English",
        "title": "Trump says US may strike Iran’s Pekaks Mountain nuclear site",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/trump-says-us-may-strike-irans-pekaks-mountain-nuclear-site",
        "published": "2026-10-16T14:31:15.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Iran denies nuclear ambitions, says ready for talks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/iran-denies-nuclear-ambitions-says-ready-for-talks",
        "published": "2026-10-16T16:37:01.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}