People gather for a rally marking the 47th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution in Tehran on February 11, 2026. AFP
“We are not seeking to acquire nuclear weapons and have said so repeatedly,” Pezeshkian said during a speech marking the 47th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution at Azadi Square in the capital Tehran.
Pezeshkian said Iran is prepared to accept all forms of verification and inspection to show it is acting in good faith before the international community and not seeking to develop nuclear weapons.
The “wall of mistrust” built by Washington and European governments must be dismantled, he added.
Iran marked the anniversary amid heightened tensions with the United States. The two sides held indirect talks in Muscat last Friday, but Washington has continued to signal that a military option remains on the table, raising concerns about further turmoil in the Middle East.
US President Donald Trump warned in an interview on Tuesday that he was "thinking" of sending a second aircraft carrier strike group to the region.
"Either we will make a deal, or we will have to do something very tough like last time," Trump said. "We have an armada that is heading there, and another one might be going."
"Our Iran will not yield in the face of aggression, but we are continuing dialogue with all our strength with neighbouring countries to establish peace and tranquillity in the region," Pezeshkian said.
He added that Tehran is engaged in ongoing talks with regional countries, which he said are capable of resolving their crises and determining their own future without foreign interference.
The Iranian president stressed the need to strengthen Iran’s brotherly ties with its neighbours, noting efforts to accelerate the development of transport corridors linking Iran with surrounding countries.
He expressed hope that progress would be achieved soon and reiterated Tehran’s intention to deepen relations with neighbouring and Islamic nations.
Pezeshkian said several Arab and Islamic countries, including Egypt, Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Azerbaijan, have reached out to Iran with offers of assistance and diplomatic initiatives aimed at finding solutions.
He praised their efforts and underscored the importance of expanding Iran’s engagement in regional and international organizations such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
Turning to domestic issues, Pezeshkian said improving living conditions remains the government’s top priority and pledged to meet citizens’ basic needs. He called for unity and solidarity to confront what he described as external threats and conspiracies.
He accused unnamed foreign actors of pushing many Iranians “toward death" and spreading rumours to undermine national unity, in reference to recent protests. He vowed that his government would overcome the challenges facing the country.
Thousands of people across Iran took to the streets to mark the 47th anniversary of the 1979 Revolution. Demonstrations were held in more than 1,400 cities and towns, with crowds gathering from the morning and marching toward central squares, including Azadi Square in Tehran, according to officials.
Participants chanted slogans against the United States and Israel during the rallies.
Threatened with assassination by the US and Israel, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei did not attend the events. However, the 86-year-old leader released a video message urging Iranians to “disappoint the enemy” by taking part in the anniversary demonstrations.
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