Larijani: Iran Relies on Combination of Negotiation, Deterrence

Speaking in an interview with Al Jazeera, Larijani stated that Tehran is prepared to enter fair nuclear negotiations that address concerns without harming the country’s national security.

Regarding the recent negotiations in Muscat, Larijani said he had not brought any written response to US demands and that what had taken place was merely an exchange of views, a process that is still ongoing.

He added that countries in the region also support reaching a political solution to Iran’s nuclear file.

Tehran views negotiations positively, provided they are fair and reasonable and do not turn into a tool for wasting time or imposing issues beyond the nuclear framework, he explained.

Larijani described preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon as a potential common ground for reaching an agreement.

He further stressed that Iran accepts oversight by the International Atomic Energy Agency within the framework of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), but described talk of “zero enrichment” as unrealistic, saying nuclear knowledge cannot be eliminated by a political decision and that Iran has legitimate medical and research needs.

He stated that Iran’s missile program has not been raised in the recent negotiations, adding that the issue is part of the country’s national security and defensive deterrence architecture and is not negotiable.

Larijani reiterated at the conclusion that Iran is not seeking war, but will not yield to threats and relies on a combination of negotiation and deterrence./tasnim