TEHRAN - In a press conference commemorating National Nuclear Technology Day, Mohammad Eslami, the Head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, discussed the organization's achievements while vowing that Iran will not cave in to external pressure. 

“Others don’t want us to advance our nuclear industry on our own. They have been causing disturbance to demotivate us,” Eslami said, adding that Iran’s nuclear technology will continue to be a source of honor for the country.

The nuclear chief might have been referring to Israeli efforts to hinder Iran’s peaceful nuclear program in the past two decades. The regime has assassinated multiple Iranian scientists and staged sabotage attacks on the country’s nuclear sites on different occasions. It has, however, failed to deal a blow to Iran’s nuclear program so far. 

Eslami then emphasized the significance of the day, expressing hope for global change following the resistance of the Palestinian people against injustice.

"Although we carry sorrow in our hearts and are saddened by the injustice perpetrated by the Zionist regime, we hope that the global awakening, shaped by the resistance of the beloved people of Palestine, will eradicate this impure tree from this holy land,” he stated. 

Israeli officials have suggested to use nukes against the besieged Gaza Strip several times since the beginning of the regime’s latest war against the enclave 6 months ago. While the remarks have been seen as an open admit to the possession of nuclear weapons, the International Atomic Energy Agency has so far refrained from inspecting any of the regime’s nuclear sites. The UN body has instead opted o turn the screw on Iran, which hosts the highest number IAEA inspectors in the world. 

Continuing with his speech, Eslami also underscored the organization's strategic efforts in nuclear development, which he said have a focus on advancing radiation therapy and promoting indigenous systems to bolster various industries.

Furthermore, strides in medical advancements, particularly in radiopharmaceuticals, were highlighted, showcasing Iran's leadership in innovation for cancer treatment.

“In 2023, we registered 15 new achievements in the medical and radiopharmaceutical sector. The discussion on the use of alpha rays in radiopharmaceuticals is at the forefront, a milestone achieved for the first time globally. Our ability to maintain leadership in knowledge and innovation enables us to serve cancer patients effectively. The efficacy of this pharmaceutical in treating such conditions is defined as therapeutic, capable of eradicating cancerous tumors or neurological tumors."

Elsewhere in his comments, Eslami unveiled plans for the expansion of Iran’s nuclear power plants, announcing that new plants will be built in Bushehr, Khuzestan, and Makran.