Iran Considers Talks with US to Ensure ‘Peaceful’ Nature of its Nuclear Program

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian
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Iran Considers Talks with US to Ensure ‘Peaceful’ Nature of its Nuclear Program

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian

Iran would consider negotiations with the US if the aim of the talks was to address concerns regarding any potential militarization of its nuclear program, Iran's UN mission said on Sunday.
At the same time, Iran rejected any attempts aimed to dismantle its “peaceful” nuclear program.
In a post on X the mission said: “If the objective of negotiations is to address concerns vis-à-vis any potential militarization of Iran’s nuclear program, such discussions may be subject to consideration.”
“However, should the aim be the dismantlement of Iran’s peaceful nuclear program ... such negotiations will never take place,” the post added.
Also on Sunday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said his country’s principled policy is centered on de-escalation and fostering unity, adding that Iran has never sought to acquire nuclear weapons, citing the decree issued by the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
In a phone conversation with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, the President said Iran considers tensions, unrest, and conflicts as harmful to itself, the region and the world.
This is the first public contact between an Iranian president and a Western official since US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he wanted to negotiate with Iran on its nuclear file and had sent a letter to the Iranian leadership on Thursday.

“Iran has always advocated for peace, stability, and security in the region, striving to prevent war and confrontation whenever possible,” Pezeshkian said.
He then rejected western attempts to portray Iran’s “peaceful nuclear activities” as a source of insecurity, noting that the regime is the root cause of tension and crisis through its initiation of war and genocide against the oppressed Palestinian people.
The Iranian presidential website then quoted Store as calling for the continuation of discussions and meetings between officials of both countries. He also underscored Norway's commitment to a peaceful resolution of regional issues and expressed readiness to assist in this process.

 

 



Nobel Laureate Mohammadi Says Iran Issuing Death Threats

Narges Mohammadi has been jailed repeatedly over the past 25 years - AFP
Narges Mohammadi has been jailed repeatedly over the past 25 years - AFP
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Nobel Laureate Mohammadi Says Iran Issuing Death Threats

Narges Mohammadi has been jailed repeatedly over the past 25 years - AFP
Narges Mohammadi has been jailed repeatedly over the past 25 years - AFP

Iranian activist Narges Mohammadi, who won the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize for her fight for women's and human rights in Iran, has received death threats from Tehran, the Nobel Committee said Friday.

Mohammadi, who has spent much of the past decade behind bars, was released from Tehran's Evin prison in December for a limited period on medical leave, with her legal team repeatedly warning that she could be re-arrested at any time, AFP reported.

Norwegian Nobel Committee chair Jorgen Watne Frydnes said in a statement he had received an "urgent phone call" from Mohammadi, 53, who said her life was now in danger.

"The clear message, in her own words, is that 'I have been directly and indirectly threatened with 'physical elimination' by agents of the regime'," he said.

"The threats conveyed to Ms. Mohammadi make it clear that her security is at stake, unless she commits to end all public engagement within Iran, as well as any international advocacy or media appearances in support of democracy, human rights, and freedom of expression," the statement added.

The Committee said it was "deeply concerned" about the threats against Mohammadi and "all Iranian citizens with a critical voice, and call upon the authorities to safeguard not only their lives, but also their freedom of expression."

Mohammadi has been repeatedly tried and jailed for her vocal campaigning against Iran's widespread use of capital punishment and its mandatory dress code for women.

She won the Nobel primarily for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran. Her children collected the award on her behalf as she was in prison at the time.