"The Iranian people have gained nothing from this nuclear energy program and the goals pursued by the Islamic Republic of Iran, except for bearing its negative consequences and harmful effects," Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi said on Friday.
"(The nuclear program) only has negatively affected lives of the people since they were affected by heavy sanctions ... The sanctions have weakened the regime as well, that’s true, but the truth is that it has also weakened the Iranian society," she added in an interview with Iranian journalist Sima Sabet.
Mohammadi, who is currently on temporary medical leave from prison, continued, "For years there has been concern that the Islamic Republic's pursuit of nuclear weapons could turn the Iranian people into hostages in the hands of the regime."
"In this sense, losing this capability—which has brought no tangible benefit to the people's well-being or progress—could actually open up an opportunity for them to be freed from a deeply troubling situation."
