DOHA, February 20. /TASS/. Iran will persist in investing in the development of its peaceful nuclear program despite US President Donald Trump's threats, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi said.
"Iran does not seek to acquire nuclear weapons. However, the country intends to [continue] investing in nuclear energy for peaceful purposes," the diplomat said in an interview with Iraq's Alahad TV channel. As repeatedly stated, Iran is a member of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and the country's policy in this area is transparent and is guided by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Takht-Ravanchi added.
On February 4, Trump signed the presidential memorandum reinstating Washington's tough policy on Iran that was followed throughout his first term. In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that the US president's concerns about Tehran obtaining nuclear weapons were baseless, noting that the country was committed to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Moreover, the religious decree of Iran's supreme leader to prohibit the development of such weapons remains in effect, the top diplomat added.
On February 10, Trump said he believed there were two ways of stopping Iran from developing nuclear weapons, "with bombs or with a written piece of paper." The US president added that he would like to strike a deal with Tehran without resorting to military action.