Iran responds to Trump remarks on nuclear program, 'maximum pressure'
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Iranian officials assured that Iran has no intention of building nuclear weapons, emphasizing once again the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program.
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A worker rides a bicycle in front of the Bushehr nuclear plant in Iran. Oct. 26, 2010 (AP)
Iranian officials responded to Trump's remarks regarding Iran's nuclear program and the reimposition of the "maximum pressure" campaign on the Islamic Republic, particularly his claim that Iran seeks to build nuclear weapons, vowing that Tehran cannot have nuclear weapons under any circumstances.
"Trump has said that Iran should not have nuclear weapons; Iran had no intention of obtaining nuclear weapons, does not have and will not have," emphasized Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI).
"Our approach is clear, Iran's peaceful energy program is within the framework of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)," he added
The American president made those remarks after signing directives to resume his maximum pressure campaign on Iran ahead of the occupation PM Netanyahu's visit. Meanwhile, he also expressed his willingness to talk to Iranian President Pezeshkian.
In a similar vein, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said, on the sideline of the government cabinet meeting, that maximum pressure is a failed experiment, and its reimposition will only lead to another failure.
Trump's maximum pressure strategy will work only if Trump's objections are to nuclear weapons.
"If the main issue is that Iran does not pursue nuclear weapons, then this is achievable," he added.
He added that Iran's position as part of the NPT is clear, adding that the roadmap was specified in the instructions of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution.
Trump's dilemma with Iran's nuclear program
Trump withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), otherwise known as the Iran nuclear deal during his first term in 2018.
The deal put restrictions on Iran's nuclear capabilities in return for sanctions relief; sanctions that were impeding the Iranian economy.
Trump claimed the deal did not hold Iran's missile program back and that it didn't reduce its influence in the region.
Instead, Trump imposed several sanctions in order to pressure Iran into renegotiating the JCPOA deal and concede more limitations, including restrictions on Iran's ballistic missiles and other regional activities.
Iran significantly advanced its program, including enriching uranium to 60%—a step away from weapon-grade levels (90%)—and deploying advanced centrifuges. Meanwhile, nuclear expert Kelsey Davenport noted that Iran could now produce enough material for five to six nuclear bombs in just two weeks, according to Eldar Mamedov in an article he wrote for the Responsible Statecraft late last month.
Iran condemned these sanctions, saying that they were a violation of the JCPOA
Now, America's newly-elected president wants to revive the maximum pressure strategy in the hope of culling Iran's influence and activity in the region.
