WANA (Jan 31) – Mohammad Eslami, Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, has stressed that nuclear weapons have no place in Iran’s defense doctrine, stating that the country is fully capable of defending itself and maintaining effective deterrence without resorting to nuclear arms.
In media remarks made amid renewed international focus on Iran’s nuclear file, Eslami said Western countries have no real intention of closing the case, describing it as a political tool rather than a technical issue.
According to him, more than two decades of interaction with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) demonstrate that the file has consistently been shaped by political considerations.
Eslami noted that Iran continues to cooperate with the IAEA within its safeguards obligations, explaining that inspections of undamaged nuclear sites have proceeded accordingly. However, he said the security situation resulting from active threats and military attacks on certain facilities has complicated the implementation of standard procedures at damaged sites.
He added that the IAEA has so far failed to define a clear framework for dealing with nuclear facilities subjected to military attacks.
He also warned that there is a possibility Iran’s nuclear case could be referred to the UN Security Council during upcoming meetings of the IAEA Board of Governors, arguing that such a move would serve political pressure rather than legal or technical objectives.
Addressing Iran’s 60 percent uranium enrichment, Eslami said proposals to exchange or limit these materials were previously raised to prevent the reimposition of sanctions. However, from Iran’s perspective—and that of several other countries—previous UN Security Council resolutions have effectively lost their legal validity.
Rejecting speculation that Iran may seek to develop nuclear weapons, Eslami emphasized that the country’s nuclear program is fundamentally based on indigenous knowledge and technology rather than physical infrastructure alone, making it resilient to military or political pressure.
He also confirmed the continuation of cooperation between Iran and Russia on the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, announcing that fuel for the facility has been secured through 2026. According to Eslami, this reflects the stability and continuity of Iran’s civilian nuclear energy program.
Bushehr Nuclear power plant. AEOI / WANA News Agency