Daijiworld Media Network - New York

New York, Sep 25: At the United Nations General Assembly, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reaffirmed his country's commitment to peace, stating unequivocally that Iran has never pursued nuclear weapons—and never will.

Addressing world leaders on Wednesday, Pezeshkian declared, “Iran has never sought, nor will it ever seek, to build a nuclear bomb. Our position is rooted in religious edicts issued by the Supreme Leader and other authorities, which forbid the development of weapons of mass destruction.”

His remarks came amid rising tensions surrounding the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Pezeshkian criticized the recent move by Britain, France, and Germany—collectively known as the E3—to trigger UN sanctions on Iran, calling their efforts "illegitimate" and a breach of agreed-upon mechanisms.

The E3 notified the UN Security Council on August 28 that Iran had failed to meet its obligations under the JCPOA. However, Tehran and other observers argue that the European trio bypassed the required Dispute Resolution Mechanism (DRM), which allows 35 days for negotiation before sanctions can be reimposed. By skipping this process, Pezeshkian claimed, their action lacked legal standing under both the JCPOA and UN Resolution 2231.

Earlier the same day, Pezeshkian met with French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss nuclear issues and bilateral relations. Reiterating Iran’s stance, he expressed openness to dialogue within a “mutually acceptable” framework. Macron, in turn, said France remains committed to avoiding further escalation and expressed willingness to address ongoing tensions.

Both leaders agreed on the importance of stability in the Middle East and voiced hope for improved relations between their nations.