Tehran: The behavior of the United States toward countries such as North Korea indicates that the possession of nuclear potential greatly increases the enemy's costs for military actions, and Iran needs to have nuclear deterrence - that is, the ability to voice the threat of using nuclear weapons, - and this position is shared by many representatives of the Iranian people, including political elite, member of the Iranian parliament's presidium Ahmad Naderi told RIA Novosti.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the parliamentarian expressed this point of view against the backdrop of intensified contacts between Tehran and Washington to discuss the issue of Iran's nuclear dossier. Earlier, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that Tehran, in a response letter to US President Donald Trump, refused Washington direct negotiations on the nuclear program, and the window for negotiations was open only with the mediation of third countries. At the same time, Trump, in an interview with NBC News, threatened Iran with "unprecedented bombings" if the United States and Iran did not conclude an agreement.

"I have previously emphasized the need for nuclear deterrence [on the part] of Iran. This position is not only a personal opinion, it attracts the attention of a significant part of the political elite, representatives of parliament and even public opinion, since historical experience, especially the behavior of the United States towards countries such as North Korea, has shown that the possession of nuclear potential significantly increases the [enemy's] costs of any military steps," Naderi said.

The parliamentarian noted as an example that during Trump's presidency, Washington - even despite the verbal threats of the US president against Pyongyang - had never taken military action against North Korea, "since this country was able to create effective deterrence by developing nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles."