Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian (left) and Security Council chief Mohsen Rezaei (right).
Iran hints at reversing nuclear weapons ban amid stalemate with US
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
Iran is debating whether to maintain its longstanding ban on nuclear weapons if hostilities resume, though no formal decision has been made, Security Council chief Mohsen Rezaei told state television on Saturday.
Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and a former IRGC commander, said in the interview: “No new decision has been made regarding a change in our nuclear doctrine. However, the question has been raised: if war breaks out again, do we want to retain our previous doctrine or not?”
He emphasized that discussions remain internal and no official governmental change has occurred.
He linked the debate to public sentiment, stating that “the Iranian nation… has its own demands.”
Rezaei explained: “People see that the enemy has targeted our nuclear facilities. They ask why they were attacked. We had agreed to all the inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and had even facilitated its inspectors’ access… So when people see these things, it is only natural that they ask us why we want to allow this situation to continue.”
Rezaei also addressed a letter from US Vice President JD Vance, saying he had read it but had not yet replied.
“Their tone has changed completely. This is a good sign, showing that the Iranian nation has consolidated its victory and strength,” he said.
He added that Iran continues to pursue diplomacy seriously but “will not abandon the rights of the Iranian people.”
On broader negotiations, Rezaei insisted the nuclear issue can only be discussed after the United States meets Iran’s conditions.
He noted that Iran, as an NPT member, holds rights under the treaty that must be respected in any future talks.
The Strait of Hormuz, he stressed, “will remain closed” until all Iranian demands are fulfilled.
Rezaei further stated that the conflict with the United States must end “permanently” so that “no country should dare to attack Iran again.”
He described the current diplomatic process as ongoing for more than a month, with clearer responses from the US side in recent exchanges, though ambiguities remain.
The remarks come amid continued tensions following earlier hostilities, with Iranian lawmakers also voicing calls related to the NPT.
