Iran’s Pezeshkian says Tehran not seeking nuclear weapons, wants to engage with Europe

DUBAI – Iranian President-elect Masoud Pezeshkian asserts that Tehran is not seeking nuclear weapons, adding that the Islamic Republic will expand ties with neighbors and engage with Europe.

In a statement, Pezeshkian also says that the United States should realize that Iran will not respond to pressure and highlights his Tehran’s strong ties with China and Russia.

“The United States… needs to recognize the reality and understand, once and for all, that Iran does not – and will not – respond to pressure [and] that Iran’s defense doctrine does not include nuclear weapons,” Pezeshkian says in the statement, titled “My message to the new world” and published in the daily Tehran Times.

A relative moderate who beat a hardline rival in elections, Pezeshkian has pledged to promote a pragmatic foreign policy, ease tensions over now-stalled negotiations with major powers to revive a 2015 nuclear pact and improve prospects for social liberalization and political pluralism.

“China and Russia have consistently stood by us during challenging times. We deeply value this friendship.

“Russia is a valued strategic ally and neighbor to Iran and my administration will remain committed to expanding and enhancing our cooperation,” Pezeshkian writes, adding that Tehran will actively support initiatives aimed at ending the conflict in Ukraine.

“The Iranian people have entrusted me with a strong mandate to vigorously pursue constructive engagement on the international stage while insisting on our rights, our dignity and our deserved role in the region and the world.

“I extend an open invitation to those willing to join us in this historic endeavor,” Pezeshkian says.