Pezeshkian says Iran needs nuclear energy, not a nuclear bomb

The remarks come as Iran's security council has tied any reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to a four to five day deadline for Washington.

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said his country needs nuclear energy, not a nuclear bomb, and that Iran must stay strong and powerful to resist the United States and other adversaries.

The comment follows Pezeshkian's address to the UN General Assembly this week, in which he said Iran was a victim of terrorism and had not bowed its head. A US official walked out of the chamber partway through the speech.

Iran's posture toward Washington has hardened on several fronts even as contacts continue. Rezaei, secretary of Iran's security council, has linked any reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to a four to five day deadline for the United States, and separately said airports in countries that cooperate with Washington to stop Iranian flights would be unable to operate. He has also ruled out negotiations, even as Foreign Minister Araghchi and US envoy Steve Witkoff continue discussing terms for reopening the strait. Araghchi has called US and Israeli actions in the Iran conflict war crimes. Houthi officials have said any US backing of Saudi Arabia will draw attacks on American interests across the region.

Pezeshkian's framing of the nuclear program as defensive rather than weapons-related matches the message Tehran has kept up through the UN talks, where mediators have shuttled between Iranian and US delegations. It adds nothing new to Iran's negotiating position and does not change the immediate picture, in which Iran has set conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz and Witkoff has indicated talks will continue.