Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has reiterated that Iran has no intention of acquiring nuclear weapons, emphasising that the country’s position is grounded in religious principles and the explicit fatwa of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.
“We have no desire to obtain nuclear weapons, as this matter is rooted in our beliefs,” Araghchi said in an interview with Egypt’s Al-Nile News Network during his visit to Cairo on June 1.
“It goes back to the fatwa of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Khamenei, who declared possessing such weapons as haram (forbidden). And since we are a religious nation, deviating from this fatwa is impossible for us,” he added.
He noted that Tehran continues to engage in dialogue and nuclear negotiations to demonstrate the peaceful nature of its nuclear programme. “And if there are questions or concerns, we are ready to address them through confidence-building,” he said.
Araghchi said that Iran will continue pursuing diplomacy. “Iran remains capable of demonstrating its goodwill and is prepared to take steps toward rebuilding trust.”
“This will nullify one of the most significant claims made by the Zionist regime,” Araghchi noted. “We are fully aware that the Zionist regime possesses dozens of nuclear warheads, yet it accuses Iran of seeking nuclear arms. But our position is clear: our nuclear programme is peaceful and poses no threat to any party or country.”
Touching on recent developments in the Red Sea, Araghchi linked the events to regional dynamics. “What is happening in the Red Sea is, in fact, the support of the Yemeni people for Gaza,” he said.
“According to the information we have, the ships targeted in the Red Sea were either Israeli-owned or heading toward Israeli destinations,” he added.
He also noted a temporary ceasefire between Yemen’s Ansarullah movement and the United States, which he said has resulted in “relative stability in the region.”
“Undoubtedly, the root cause of all the problems in the region is the Zionist regime,” he stated, adding, “What we are witnessing in the Red Sea is one of the many consequences of the crimes this regime commits against the Palestinian people.”
Relentless Israeli bombardment and siege have left at least 54,381 Palestinians martyred and more than 124,054 injured in the Gaza Strip, according to local health authorities.
Araghchi also reaffirmed Iran’s determination to foster strong and constructive relations with neighboring and regional countries, particularly Arab states.
“However, there is a reality we must acknowledge—the influence of Zionist regime propaganda and policies, which aim to portray Iran as a regional threat instead of themselves,” he noted.
“In fact, it is the Zionist regime that poses a genuine threat to the entire region,” he added.
Describing Arab countries as “friends and neighbors” and, more importantly, as “Muslim brothers,” Araghchi said the foreign policy of Iran’s current administration is firmly rooted in the principle of good neighborliness and in strengthening regional cooperation.
