Eslami responded to an inquiry by the second channel of the official Iranian television regarding "whether the time has come for Iran to acquire nuclear weapons to balance power," by asserting that the matter is "not about inability, but about lack of desire. We do not want to have nuclear weapons because our strategy is different, and certainly, we have managed to create deterrence at this level without breaking the rules."

The query was posed amidst discussions of Israeli threats to use nuclear weapons during the Gaza conflict. Iranian media outlets rapidly focused on the television's question more than Eslami's response.

Shortly after Eslami's declaration, the U.S. President, Joe Biden, confirmed that he sent a "special message" to Iran following U.S. and British strikes against the Iran-backed Houthi group, linked to targeting merchant ships in the Red Sea.

Eslami elaborated on changing the course of Iran's nuclear program by asserting that "the possession of weapons of mass destruction has absolutely no place in Iran's defense doctrine," and he referenced a fatwa by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution against the owning and usage of such weapons.

"Today, independently, we have reached a stage considered among the highest in the world. Concern about this matter remains," Eslami said. He added, "Our national security strategy includes an element that only a few countries possess; the Islamic Republic considers the people as the foundation and has paid a heavy price for this."

Eslami underscored that the Iranian defense system is not dependent on external forces, and its scientists have achieved innovative works. He articulated that these factors, in combination with leadership capabilities, have established active deterrence. Furthermore, he highlighted that Iranian foreign policy is predicated on active interaction, which has created effective deterrence through this vision. Referring to the inspections conducted by the International Atomic Energy Agency, Eslami remarked that Iran is one of the most monitored states, stressing that the main issue for Americans is ensuring Iran does not become a nuclear state due to nuclear technology's leading role in various scientific areas.

Eslami made no comment on the future of negotiations aimed at reviving the nuclear deal, which faced significant challenges at the onset of the Russian-Ukrainian war, followed by a near deadlock last year after Tehran rejected a draft by the EU's foreign policy chief.

Attempts to revive the diplomatic channel have faltered, along with the escalation of the war in the Gaza Strip 100 days prior.

In the early era of U.S. President Joe Biden's administration, who wished to reactivate the nuclear agreement, Tehran accelerated its uranium enrichment program, starting 20% enrichment within weeks of Biden taking office in January 2021. In April 2021, Iran increased the enrichment level to 60% for the first time since its nuclear program's inception, in parallel with discussions between Biden's administration, nuclear deal parties, and Iran seeking to revive the agreement. Later, Iran initiated uranium enrichment to 20% and 60% levels at its Fordow facility.

Iran slowed down its 60% enrichment mid-last year, a sluggish pace that lasted less than six months amidst reports of a limited understanding reached between the U.S. and Iran, including the release of Iranian funds and a potential prisoner exchange. However, the International Atomic Energy Agency reported last month that Iran had accelerated its enrichment process to 60%, producing roughly three kilograms monthly.

The U.S., Britain, France, and Germany have condemned Iran's accelerated enrichment and urged Iran to immediately reverse these steps and halt the escalation of its nuclear program, expressing commitment to a diplomatic resolution and preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. In response to Western powers, Iran's Foreign Ministry stated that "60% enrichment has always been and will continue to be in line with the country's peaceful needs, under full monitoring of the International Atomic Energy Agency."

Iran currently holds a quantity of 60% enriched uranium sufficient for three nuclear bombs if further enriched, as well as larger amounts at 20% and 5% levels.

Western countries are wary of Iran's intent to develop weapons of mass destruction, a claim Tehran consistently denies. The West asserts that "there is no civilian need for 60% enriched uranium production."

Addressing the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's fatwa, this is not the first instance an Iranian official has discussed the country's aversion to pursuing weapons, citing a fatwa issued by Khamenei.

In early August last year, Eslami claimed Iran "has the technical capability to produce a nuclear bomb but does not intend to," although the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization spokesman, Behrouz Kamalvandi, suggested Eslami's statements were "misunderstood."

Eslami reiterated what Kamal Kharazi, head of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations answering to Khamenei's office, had said. Mohammad-Javad Larijani, a strategic theorist and former deputy chief justice, stated, "No one can prevent Iran if it decides to make a nuclear bomb."

Coinciding with these statements, a Telegram-based network affiliated with the "Revolutionary Guard" reposted a video on Iran's preparedness to initiate steps for developing nuclear weapons at the fortified Fordow facility under the mountains of Qom city if the Natanz facility, in central Iran, becomes a target of Israeli airstrikes.

In February 2021, before concluding his term as security minister, Mahmoud Alavi warned that Western pressure could lead to Tehran acting like a "cornered cat" in pursuing nuclear arms. Alavi stated during a TV interview, "The Leader (Khamenei) has clearly said in his fatwa that nuclear weapons are against Sharia law, and the Islamic Republic considers them religiously forbidden and does not seek them. But a cornered cat might act in a way it doesn't when free, and if (Western countries) push Iran in that direction, it won't be Iran's fault."

The sensitive timing of this question on television stirred surprise in political circles, including semi-official media. The Tehran municipality's media platform, "Hamshahri," expressed surprise at the Iranian television presenter's question.

Former TV news anchor Hadi Norouzi, now a government critic abroad, wrote on the "X" platform, "Such a question does not get asked without prior coordination." He continued, "Dozens of such programs are presented on the radio and television, and questions of this level are not posed without previous arrangement with officials and guests. No doubt, there is more news forthcoming."