An Iranian post carried on Fars News’ platform, a semi-official outlet linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, argued Sunday that Tehran has “no choice” but to build an atomic bomb, directly clashing with Iran’s new written pledge to the U.S. not to develop nuclear weapons.

The post, titled “There Is No Choice But To Build The Atomic Bomb,” said Iran must reach nuclear deterrence in order to negotiate from strength. “To achieve the calm Iran needs, it must reach nuclear deterrence to make sure the remaining issues can be resolved through negotiation,” it said.

The argument comes after the U.S. and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding meant to open a 60-day process toward a final nuclear and regional agreement. In that framework, Iran reaffirmed that it would not obtain or develop nuclear weapons, while the sides agreed to discuss Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile and renewed International Atomic Energy Agency oversight.

But the inspection issue remains unresolved. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said Friday that Iran’s statements are “not enough” and that a strong verification system is needed “as soon as practicable.” Iranian officials, however, have denied that inspectors will be allowed into nuclear sites hit during the recent confrontation.

The Fars-carried post framed nuclear weapons as a way to deter America and Israel, saying atomic deterrence would create “a balance of power” and keep future conflict “controllable.” Its publication came as the U.S.–Iran framework was already under pressure, after Iran fired missiles and drones toward U.S. military sites in Kuwait and Bahrain following American strikes.

Iran’s government continues to say its military capabilities are defensive and meant to guarantee regional stability. But the post’s message was far more direct: peace, it argued, requires Iran to become a nuclear power.