Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson denies nuclear weapon development

Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, formally denied allegations that Iran is developing nuclear weapons during an interview with Serbian state television (RTS). Baghaei characterized U.S. claims regarding Iran's nuclear program as false, asserting that the program remains strictly peaceful and challenging critics to provide evidence from the International Atomic Energy Agency. He argued that geopolitical tensions involving Iran are primarily driven by a struggle for power and control over global oil reserves, rather than nuclear concerns. According to the spokesperson, the U.S. strategy aims to destabilize Iran to indirectly threaten Chinese economic interests by controlling a significant portion of world energy supplies. Furthermore, Baghaei identified the Strait of Hormuz as a region of strategic security importance for Iran. He claimed that regional instability is caused by the presence of U.S. military bases in neighboring countries. Baghaei stated that Iran harbors no hostility toward regional neighbors and considers them allies. The official declined to comment on the potential for Russian intervention in the ongoing tensions.