Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian asserted Tehran's readiness to "strike deep within Israel" and dismissed claims of Iran's nuclear programme being destroyed as "an illusion".

In his first interview with the Qatari channel Al Jazeera since the 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran, which concluded with a US-brokered ceasefire on 24th June, President Pezeshkian's remarks were broadcast on the evening of July 22.

The recent conflict saw the United States target three of Iran's nuclear sites, facilities which US President Donald Trump insists have been "obliterated". While Iranian officials have acknowledged "significant damage", Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that uranium enrichment has been temporarily halted due to the damage sustained.

During the interview, Pezeshkian stressed that Iran "does not seek war" but "cannot rely on the permanence of the ceasefire" and remains prepared to defend itself. He confirmed that Israel had inflicted damage upon Iran, but asserted that Iran had also "struck deep within Israel with considerable force", claiming that Israel was "concealing its losses."

The Iranian president also conceded "some intelligence penetration" within the country, attributing this primarily to Israel's use of "American technology and resources".

Pezeshkian reiterated that discussions of ending or destroying Iran's nuclear programme were "an illusion", stating that, "our nuclear capabilities reside in the minds of our scientists, not merely in our physical facilities".

He further stressed that, in accordance with international law, uranium enrichment would continue on Iranian soil and reiterated Tehran's stance that it is not pursuing nuclear weapons.

Any prospective negotiations with the United States, Pezeshkian stated, must be founded upon a "win-win situation" for both parties.

The night before Pezeshkian's interview, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had told American network Fox News that Iran would not cease enrichment, a statement that drew a swift response from the US President, who vowed further strikes on the facilities if deemed necessary.

Iran's previously ongoing nuclear negotiations with the US ceased with the outbreak of the war with Israel. However, in the first diplomatic engagement since the ceasefire, Iran is scheduled to meet with the E3 – France, Germany and the UK – in Istanbul on June 25 at the level of deputy foreign ministers.