Iran denies nuclear ambitions, says ready for talks, condemns US sanctions

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian denied on Friday that Iran seeks nuclear weapons, said Tehran is ready for dialogue and condemned US sanctions. He spoke during talks with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze in Yerevan, Armenia.

Is Iran seeking nuclear weapons?

Pezeshkian says no. He called accusations against Iran "malicious propaganda" and lies, according to a statement from his office. He said Iran has always been open to dialogue but will not surrender to pressure.

"Iran is not seeking nuclear weapons, and we consider the malicious propaganda against our country to be lies," Pezeshkian said. "We have always been ready for dialogue. They think they can force us to surrender, but we will not bow to coercion," he added.

He called US sanctions against Tehran "unjustifiable and inhumane."

What did Pezeshkian and Georgia's prime minister discuss?

The two leaders met on the sidelines of a UN biodiversity summit in Armenia's capital, Yerevan. Pezeshkian called for closer ties with Georgia and a clear timetable to expand cooperation between Tehran and Tbilisi, Iran's Tasnim news agency reported.

The meeting came weeks after Tbilisi cut aviation links between the two countries following US sanctions targeting Iranian airlines. Kobakhidze's office said the leaders discussed bilateral ties and regional security. It said Kobakhidze stressed the "importance of dialogue and diplomacy to achieve de-escalation and lasting peace."

Why did Georgia cut aviation links with Iran?

Georgia's Civil Aviation Agency said in September that it would comply with the US sanctions regime. Kobakhidze insisted Tbilisi was not imposing its own bilateral sanctions on Tehran.

Tasnim quoted Kobakhidze as saying he opposed foreign interference in neighboring countries' internal affairs. His office made no mention of those remarks in its own account of the meeting.