Iran open to full nuclear verification, president says

Iran’s nuclear activities can be placed under full verification, President Masoud Pezeshkian told Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Thursday, amid continued US pressure for a ban on Tehran’s nuclear weapons development.

“It is possible to place the Islamic Republic of Iran’s nuclear activities under full verification, as has been done in previous years,” Pezeshkian told the Saudi leader in their phone call.

He also said that Iran seeks dialogue and rejects any military use of nuclear energy.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has never sought war or conflict, and non-peaceful use of nuclear energy has absolutely no place in our security and defense doctrine,” media in Tehran quoted him as saying.

“We are not seeking war with any country, but we have no hesitation in defending ourselves, and our readiness and capabilities in this regard are at the highest level,” Pezeshkian said, according to a statement from his office.

Pezeshkian also said that Iran is ready to engage in dialogue to reduce tensions based on mutual interests and respect, according to the statement.

In recent days, Tehran has signaled its willingness to engage in indirect talks with the Trump administration, while the US continues to favor quicker, direct negotiations.

“I think it’s better if we have direct talks,” Trump said on Thursday. “I think it goes faster, and you understand the other side a lot better than if you go through intermediaries. They wanted to use intermediaries. I don’t think that’s necessarily true anymore.”

It remains unclear whether Iran has genuinely shifted its position or if President Trump is merely speculating about Tehran’s intentions.

The US administration has continued to escalate sanctions on Iran, aiming to fully halt the country’s oil exports—especially to China. Trump has also threatened that if Tehran does not make concessions, it can become the target of military strikes.