On Thursday, September 25, Iranian President Masood Pejishkian expressed the need for assurance that Israel will not strike Iran's nuclear sites, which is a prerequisite for considering the normalization of Iran's Nuclear Enrichment Program and energy production.
'Who Will Guarantee Our Safety?'
In an interview with Fox News, Pejishkian was questioned about Iran's intentions to reduce its uranium enrichment levels. He inquired, 'Who can assure us that Israel won't independently attack and destroy our nuclear facilities?' During the UN General Assembly this week, Pejishkian reiterated Iran's commitment to never pursuing the development of nuclear weapons.
On Friday, September 26, the UK's UN ambassador announced the reinstatement of UN sanctions on Iran starting Saturday. Attempts by Russia and China to prevent these sanctions through a UN Security Council declaration were unsuccessful. Tehran has responded by warning that Western countries will be held accountable for the repercussions.
'UN Sanctions Could Escalate Tensions'
This decision by Western countries might exacerbate existing tensions with Tehran, as Iran has previously stated it will respond severely if sanctions are re-imposed, potentially worsening the situation. Pejishkian clarified in discussions with journalists and analysts that despite these UN sanctions, Iran does not intend to withdraw from the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
Netanyahu's Opposition
Iran's economy is already suffering under significant sanctions reinstated by U.S. President Donald Trump in 2018 after breaking a nuclear agreement. Earlier on Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking at the United Nations General Assembly, declared that the global community should not permit Iran to reconstruct its nuclear and military programs. In June, Israel coordinated with the United States to bomb Iran's nuclear sites.
'Iran's Right to Enrich Uranium'
Tehran asserts its full right to enrich uranium, a right shared by all NPT member nations as long as nuclear technology is used for peaceful purposes. Contrarily, Israel is not a member of the NPT, and it is believed to be the only Middle Eastern country in possession of nuclear weapons.
