Iran Offers Full Nuclear Inspections, Insists No Weapons Ambitions

Iran is prepared to accept "any verification" of its nuclear programme, President Masoud Pezeshkian declared on Wednesday, insisting Tehran is not seeking atomic weapons as high-stakes negotiations with Washington continue.

"We are not seeking to acquire nuclear weapons. We have stated this repeatedly and are ready for any verification," Pezeshkian said during a speech at Azadi Square in Tehran marking the 47th anniversary of Iran's Islamic Revolution.

"Our country, Iran, will not yield to their excessive demands," he added, as Tehran resumed indirect talks with Washington on its nuclear programme amid mounting regional tensions.

The president's statement comes as negotiations between the United States and Iran enter a critical phase, with both sides attempting to reach a diplomatic resolution to one of the world's most volatile geopolitical flashpoints.

Pressure from Multiple Fronts

The anniversary address occurred as Iran's ruling theocrats remain under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who suggested sending another aircraft carrier group to the Middle East in an interview published Tuesday night.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is preparing to travel to Washington to push the United States toward the strictest possible terms in any agreement reached with Tehran during the fledgling nuclear talks.

The diplomatic pressure comes against the backdrop of last June's 12-day Iran-Israel conflict, during which the United States bombed Iranian nuclear sites. That military operation marked a significant escalation in the long-standing tensions between the two nations.

IAEA Locked Out

Despite Iran's offer of transparency, the International Atomic Energy Agency has not been able to verify the status of Iran's near weapons-grade uranium stockpile since the conflict in June, when Tehran suspended its cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog.

IAEA chief Rafael Grossi reached an agreement with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in September 2025 to resume inspections, but the United Nations reimposed sanctions on Iran that same month, leading the country to halt implementation of the agreement.

"The situation remains deeply concerning," said one senior Western diplomat who requested anonymity. "Without access to nuclear sites, we cannot independently verify Iran's claims about the peaceful nature of its programme."

Talks Continue in Oman

A fresh round of indirect nuclear talks between Iran and the United States concluded in Muscat, Oman, last Friday, mediated by the Sultanate of Oman, which has played a key role in facilitating dialogue between the two adversaries.

Pezeshkian described the negotiations as "a step forward," emphasising that Tehran's position on the nuclear issue is based on the rights enshrined in the Non-Proliferation Treaty, which guarantees peaceful nuclear technology to member states.

Senior Iranian security official Ali Larijani travelled from Oman to Qatar on Wednesday, with Qatar hosting a major U.S. military installation, suggesting continued diplomatic momentum following the latest round of talks.

Domestic Challenges

The anniversary celebrations also occurred as Iranian citizens have grown increasingly vocal about their government's handling of economic hardships and political freedoms. Public demonstrations in late December drew significant attention to internal dissent within the Islamic Republic.

Analysts suggest that Pezeshkian's relatively moderate stance on nuclear negotiations may be intended, in part, to ease international sanctions that have devastated Iran's economy and contributed to public frustration.

"The Iranian government faces a delicate balancing act," explained Dr. Sarah Hassan, a Middle East analyst at the Brookings Institution. "They need sanctions relief to address domestic economic problems, but they cannot appear to capitulate to Western demands without risking a backlash from hardliners."

As the negotiations continue, the world watches closely. A successful diplomatic resolution could transform the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East, while a breakdown in talks could lead to further military escalation with catastrophic consequences.