Iran Defends Nuclear Program Amid U.S.-Israel Vows to Counter It

Iran has reaffirmed its commitment to its nuclear program, stating it will not hesitate to defend its rights, a day after Israel and the United States vowed to take measures against Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday that the country’s nuclear activities remain peaceful and are conducted within the framework of international regulations.

“Iran’s peaceful nuclear program is ongoing and has been for the past three decades, based on Iran’s rights as a member of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT),” Baghaei stated. “We will definitely not show any weakness in this regard.”

His comments came in response to remarks made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, following a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Jerusalem. Netanyahu asserted that Israel and the U.S. are united in their efforts to counter Iran’s influence and prevent it from developing nuclear weapons.

U.S. and Israel Vow to Thwart Iran’s Influence

During the meeting in Jerusalem, Rubio accused Iran of being the main force destabilizing the Middle East.

“Behind every terrorist group, behind every act of violence, behind every destabilizing activity, behind everything that threatens peace and stability for the millions of people that call this region home, is Iran,” Rubio claimed.

Israel has long viewed Iran’s nuclear program as an existential threat and has conducted covert operations against Iranian nuclear facilities in the past. Meanwhile, Washington has maintained heavy sanctions on Tehran and has actively worked to isolate Iran diplomatically.

Criticism of U.S. Stance Amid Gaza War

While the U.S. and Israel position Iran as a major regional threat, some observers have pointed to Washington’s role in supporting Israel’s military actions in Gaza and the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem.

For the past 16 months, Israel has escalated its military campaign against Palestinians, leading to accusations of genocide and human rights violations. Critics argue that the U.S., which supplies billions of dollars in military aid to Israel, has provided diplomatic and political cover for its actions.

Despite growing international calls for a ceasefire, the Biden administration has continued to back Israel, drawing condemnation from human rights organizations and some members of Congress.

As tensions escalate, Iran remains firm in its position, while Israel and the U.S. continue to push for greater restrictions on Tehran’s nuclear activities, further complicating the fragile geopolitical landscape in the region.