Pezeshkian insists Iran ‘not after a nuclear bomb,’ touts US investment opportunities

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s president again pledges that his nation is “not after a nuclear bomb” ahead of talks between Tehran and the United States, going as far as dangling the prospect of direct American investment in the Islamic Republic if the countries can reach a deal.

“His excellency has no opposition to investment by American investors in Iran,” Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says in a speech in Tehran, referring to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. “American investors: Come and invest.”

Such a business proposal could draw the interest of US President Donald Trump, who withdrew America from Iran’s nuclear deal with world powers in his first term and now seeks a new agreement with the country.

Pezeshkian, who campaigned on a platform of outreach to the West during his election last year, also adds that Saturday’s talks in Oman between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff will be conducted “indirectly.” Trump has said the talks would be direct negotiations — something Tehran hasn’t ruled out after the first round of discussions.

“We are not after a nuclear bomb,” Pezeshkian adds. “You (in the West) have verified it 100 times. Do it 1,000 times again.”