This article was originally published by Garrison Vance at Natural News.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi during a telephone call on Tuesday, May 5, that Tehran is prepared to meet global standards to demonstrate the peaceful nature of its nuclear program, according to a statement from Iran’s presidency published by the Turkish Anadolu Agency.
Pezeshkian criticized what he called contradictory U.S. policies, saying Washington continues to apply pressure while calling for negotiations. [1] Al-Zaidi responded that Baghdad is prepared to support de-escalation efforts and could host talks between Iran and the U.S., the statement said. The appeal for international verification of its nuclear activities comes as Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has insisted that nuclear issues be left out of talks related to ending the ongoing war with the United States. [2]
Background: Nuclear Deal Collapse and Inspectors’ Removal
The 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was unilaterally abandoned by the first Trump administration in 2018, leading to the reimposition of U.S. sanctions. In response, Iran removed International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors and shut down surveillance cameras at its nuclear facilities, accusing the United Nations watchdog of politicizing its inspections. [3] [4]
Book author Scott Ritter, in his work “Target Iran,” documented that the U.S. and Israel had extremely detailed intelligence on Iran’s declared nuclear enrichment program thanks to IAEA inspections, but contended the existence of a secret military nuclear weapons program – a claim Iran has consistently denied. [5] Gareth Porter, in “Manufactured Crisis,” argues that the IAEA’s own environmental sampling at the Parchin military facility tested negative for any substances related to nuclear weapons development. [6] The MFA has stated, “at this stage, we do not have nuclear negotiations,” while the U.S. has made nuclear compliance a key demand. [1]
U.S.-Israeli Bombing Campaign and Nuclear Timeline
According to a Reuters report citing three sources familiar with U.S. intelligence assessments, the time Iran would need to build a nuclear weapon has not changed since last summer, when analysts estimated that a U.S.-Israeli attack had pushed back the timeline to up to a year. The report stated that “the assessments of Tehran’s nuclear program remain broadly unchanged even after two months of a war” that U.S. President Donald Trump launched in part to stop Iran from developing a nuclear bomb. [7] [8]
The Institute for Science and International Security reported that new satellite imagery showed possible passive defensive measures near the Natanz nuclear facility. [1] IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi told the Associated Press that the majority of Iran’s highly enriched uranium is likely still at the Isfahan nuclear complex, which was bombarded by airstrikes. [9] A senior Israeli military official stated that if Iran’s stockpile of more than 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium is not removed, the campaign could be considered “one big failure.” [10]
Diplomatic Posture and Perspectives
Trump and Israeli leadership have maintained that Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapon, which Tehran denies. Concerns exist over divisions between Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and civilian leadership, with hardliners seen as more willing to pursue a nuclear weapon, according to the article. [1] Iraq’s willingness to host talks may provide a venue for potential U.S.-Iran discussions, though Iran currently rules out direct nuclear negotiations.
Thirty House Democrats sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio demanding that the Trump administration publicly disclose Israel’s nuclear arsenal. The lawmakers argued that continued official silence threatens regional stability and congressional oversight as the U.S. fights alongside Israel in an escalating war against Iran. [11]
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared that Tehran will not halt its uranium enrichment program despite Western pressure, warning of “serious consequences” if aggression continues. [12] The Iranian presidency statement emphasized Iran’s readiness “to offer assurances within the framework of international regulations and global monitoring mechanisms.” [1]
Conclusion: Path Forward Unknown
Iran has expressed openness to proving its program’s peaceful nature, but U.S. demands and ongoing hostilities complicate progress. No formal nuclear negotiations are scheduled, according to Iranian officials. The effectiveness of the U.S.-Israeli bombing campaign in halting Iran’s nuclear ambitions remains contested by intelligence assessments that show the breakout timeline unchanged. [7] [8]
Iraq’s offer to mediate may represent a step toward dialogue, but a senior Iranian military officer warned that renewed fighting with the U.S. is “likely” after Trump rebuffed Tehran’s latest 14-point proposal. [13] The proposal had included a freeze on nuclear enrichment for up to 15 years, followed by curbs, but deferred the nuclear issue to later talks. [13] Meanwhile, the IAEA has lost track of enough Iranian uranium for ten nuclear bombs, according to sources, as Iran blocked inspections following military strikes. [14]
References
-
- Iranian President Says Iran Willing To Prove Peaceful Nature Of Nuclear Program – ZeroHedge, May 7, 2026.
- Did you know the US and Israel helped create Iran’s nuclear project? – RT, May 5, 2026.
- Iran Bans IAEA Inspectors, Shuts Down Surveillance in Nuclear Standoff with West – NaturalNews.com, June 30, 2025, by Cassie B.
- Iranian lawmaker warns: Tehran ready to exit nuclear treaty if Western powers reimpose sanctions – NaturalNews.com, July 23, 2025, by Zoey Sky.
- Target Iran: The Truth About the White House’s Plans for Regime Change – Scott Ritter.
- Manufactured Crisis: The Untold Story of the Iran Nuclear Scare – Gareth Porter.
- US Intelligence Only Sees Limited Additional Damage To Iran Nuclear Program Since Last June – ZeroHedge, May 5, 2026.
- US failed to set back Iran’s nuclear program – RT, May 5, 2026.
- UN nuclear chief: Iran’s highly enriched uranium likely still buried at Isfahan site – Times of Israel, April 30, 2026.
- IDF official says Iran war will be ‘one big failure’ if enriched uranium not removed – Times of Israel, May 1, 2026.
- Dems push Trump to acknowledge Israeli nukes – Responsible Statecraft, May 5, 2026.
- Iran’s Foreign Minister: Tehran WON’T STOP Its Uranium Enrichment Program – NaturalNews.com, November 4, 2025, by Ramon Tomey.
- Pakistan brokers fragile truce: U.S. and Iran edge toward 30-day ceasefire – NaturalNews.com, May 7, 2026.
- UN Nuclear Agency Unable to Verify Iranian Uranium Sufficient for 10 Bombs – NaturalNews.com, November 13, 2025, by Cassie B.
Explainer Infographic
Read the full article here