President Masoud Pezeshkian said Sunday that Iran is ready to assure the international community it is not seeking nuclear weapons [1].

The statement arrives during a period of ongoing peace talks and nuclear negotiations with the U.S., where the status of Tehran's nuclear capabilities remains a primary point of global tension.

Pezeshkian made the remarks during a visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) in Tehran [1]. He said Iran remains open to providing assurances that its nuclear program is strictly peaceful [1].

"Iran is ready to assure the world that we are not seeking nuclear weapons," Pezeshkian said [3]. The president said the country is prepared to offer these guarantees as part of the broader diplomatic effort to stabilize regional relations.

While the president expressed a willingness to provide transparency, he also noted the internal structure of Iranian governance. He said no major decision in Iran is made without the approval of the supreme leader [2]. This indicates that any formal agreement, or new set of assurances, would require high-level clerical authorization before implementation.

"We are ready to assure the world on nuclear arms," Pezeshkian said [5].

The timing of the statement on May 24, 2026 [1], suggests an attempt to lower tensions and build trust with international monitors and negotiating partners. By publicly committing to a peaceful program, the administration seeks to mitigate the risk of sanctions or military escalation while pursuing diplomatic channels.

Despite these assertions, the claim that Iran is not seeking nuclear weapons has been contested by other figures, including previous reports suggesting the development of weapons of mass destruction [6]. However, the current administration continues to maintain that its intentions are non-military.

“Iran is not seeking nuclear weapons and remains open to providing assurances that its nuclear programme is strictly peaceful.”

The president's willingness to provide assurances signals a diplomatic opening, yet the caveat regarding the supreme leader's authority confirms that the clerical establishment retains final veto power over any nuclear deal. This dynamic suggests that while Pezeshkian can set the tone for negotiations, a concrete agreement depends on the strategic calculations of Iran's highest authority rather than the presidency alone.