Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei: We Do Not Want Nuclear Weapons, But If We Did, Our Enemies Would Not Be Able To Prevent Us From Producing Them

The following clip is a complimentary offering from the MEMRI Iran Threat Monitor Project (ITMP). For more information, write to memri@memri.org with "ITMP Subscription" in the subject line.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said in a June 11, 2023 address aired on Channel 1 (Iran) that Iran's enemies know that Iran is "not interested in a nuclear weapon," explaining: "We oppose mass killing. It goes against our religion, against Islam." He said that even if Iran wanted nuclear weapons, its enemies would not be able to prevent it from producing them, just like they have been unable to disrupt Iran's current "nuclear advancement." He asserted: "If we wanted a nuclear weapon, we would do it." In addition, he said that Iran should maintain contact and cooperate with the IAEA, but that it should not "surrender" to any demands or bullying beyond "internationally prevalent" safeguard regulations.

Ali Khamenei: "We have been dealing with this nuclear challenge for 20 years. Why did the enemies create this challenge? Why do they harass us? Are we the only ones in the world engaged in a nuclear effort? Of course, they say that the reason is their fear of nuclear weapons. It's a lie. They know that we are not interested in a nuclear weapon. The American intelligence community has said so many times that Iran was not striving to achieve a nuclear weapon.

[...]

"Nuclear weapons are meant for mass killing. We oppose mass killing. It goes against our religion, against Islam – whether we are talking about atomic, chemical, or any other weapon. We do not want to move towards nuclear weapons, because of our Islamic principles. Otherwise – if we wanted to go there – they could not have prevented this, just like they have not managed to prevent our nuclear advancements so far. They will not succeed in doing this in the future either. If we wanted a nuclear weapon, we would do it, and they, too, know this. Therefore, the pretext of a nuclear weapon is a lie.

[...]

"They expect from our country things that go beyond the internationally prevalent Safeguard agreements. They act like bullies.

[...]

 "I recommend and emphasize that we should maintain contact and cooperation with the IAEA. Of course, we should stick to the Safeguard Regulations. Do not surrender to any demands beyond that."