>از همان ابتدا که وارد فعالیت هسته ای شدیم هدفمان ساخت بمب و تقویت قوای بازدارنده بود، اما نتوانستیم محرمانه بودن این مساله را حفظ کنیم
In English:
> From the very beginning when we entered nuclear activity, our goal was to build a bomb and strengthen deterrence, but we were unable to maintain the secrecy of this issue
Here is an Iranian, Persian language interview with Ali Motahari, deputy speaker of the Iranian parliament:
https://www.iranintl.com/202204244448
He says:
In English: