Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said the country’s nuclear program is not intended to produce weapons, according to comments carried by state media. The remarks come amid long-running international scrutiny of Tehran’s nuclear activities and renewed concern over the program’s scope and oversight.

Khamenei did not provide new technical details in the reported comments, but his statement appears aimed at pushing back against accusations that Iran is seeking a nuclear arsenal. Western governments have repeatedly raised alarms about enrichment levels and transparency, while Iranian officials have insisted the program is for civilian purposes.

The issue remains central to stalled diplomacy over Iran’s nuclear file. Past negotiations have struggled over verification, sanctions relief, and limits on enrichment, leaving the future of the program uncertain. Any shift in tone from Tehran is likely to be closely watched by regional governments and international watchdogs.

For many Iranians, however, the nuclear dispute has been inseparable from sanctions, isolation, and economic pressure that have worsened daily life. The burden of the standoff continues to fall on ordinary people, even as state leaders frame the issue as a matter of national sovereignty.