Trump Wants to Revoke Tehran's Nuclear Rights, Iranian President: Who Is He?

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that his country is striving to end the war against the United States (US) and Israel in a dignified manner. Pezeshkian also alluded to the desire of US President Donald Trump to revoke Tehran’s nuclear rights.

According to Pezeshkian, Trump lacks the authority to revoke a nation’s rights. This statement was made by Pezeshkian a few days after Trump threatened that the US would secure Iran’s enriched uranium if no agreement is reached between the two countries.

“Trump said that Iran should not exercise its nuclear rights, but did not explain what crime Iran has committed,” Pezeshkian said in his statement, quoted from detikNews on Monday (20/4/2026).

“Who is he to have the right to revoke a nation’s rights? From the perspective of humanitarian principles, everyone is free, regardless of religion, belief, race, or ethnicity, to enjoy their inalienable rights,” Pezeshkian emphasised.

Pezeshkian called on the Iranian nation to stand firm against bloodthirsty and brutal enemies. Iran, he said, is currently defending itself. He stressed that Iran is not seeking to ignite war and has never been the initiator of any conflict.

“We are pacifists and what we are doing is legitimate self-defence,” Pezeshkian asserted.

The US and Israel launched attacks against Iran on 28 February. Tehran retaliated with waves of missile and drone strikes against targets in Israel and Gulf countries hosting US military assets.

The escalating war in the Middle East region was suspended since 8 April. A two-week ceasefire was agreed between the US and Iran, mediated by Pakistan.

However, the ceasefire is fragile after both countries exchanged threats. As a result, follow-up peace negotiations failed to reach an agreement. Efforts to hold a new round of peace talks between the US and Iran in Islamabad are currently underway.