Iran's President Rejects Zero Reduction of Nuclear Activities Amid Ongoing Tensions with Israel

On Saturday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared that Iran will not consent to a complete cessation of its nuclear activities. In a phone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron, Pezeshkian expressed Iran's openness to collaborate and foster trust regarding its peaceful nuclear endeavors but firmly reiterated that the country would not reduce its nuclear activities to zero.

Pezeshkian pointed out that his administration has aimed for cooperation with all countries, founded on principles of mutual respect. However, he blamed Israel for disrupting these diplomatic efforts, referring to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran shortly after he assumed office in July 2024. He accused Israel of breaching international law through its military operations, including recent attacks against Iran.

In response, President Macron stated that France did not take part in Israel's military actions against Iran and condemned any assaults on non-military and non-nuclear facilities. He highlighted France’s commitment to de-escalating the situation and stressed the importance of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations, indicating that coercive measures were not a viable solution.

This dialogue took place against a backdrop of escalating hostilities, marked by significant Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear and military installations on June 13, which resulted in the deaths of several high-ranking commanders and nuclear experts. In retaliation, Iran conducted missile and drone strikes, leading to substantial casualties, with over 400 reported dead and more than 3,000 wounded in Iran, while 24 Israeli civilians lost their lives due to Iranian missile attacks.