Iran has issued a stern warning to its adversaries, the United States and Israel, suggesting that it could be compelled to pursue nuclear weapon development if its existence is threatened. Kamal Kharrazi, an adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, conveyed this message on Thursday, May 9, emphasizing Iran’s current stance and potential future actions.
“We have no decision to build a nuclear bomb but should Iran’s existence be threatened, there will be no choice but to change our military doctrine,” stated Kharrazi, as reported by Iran’s Student News Network.
Although Khamenei had previously banned the development of nuclear weapons in a religious edict, or fatwa, in the early 2000s, Kharrazi’s statement hints at a potential shift in Iran’s position under certain circumstances.
However, it’s essential to note Iran’s previous statements regarding nuclear ambitions. In 2021, Iran’s then-intelligence minister suggested that Western pressure could push the country towards seeking nuclear weapons, highlighting the fluidity of the situation.
Currently, Iran is enriching uranium to up to 60 percent purity, although weapons-grade uranium typically requires enrichment to about 90 percent. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has noted that Iran possesses enough nuclear material, if further enriched, to potentially produce two nuclear weapons.
Tensions between Iran and Israel escalated in April following a suspected Israeli strike on Iran’s embassy compound in Damascus, Syria. The attack resulted in the deaths of seven members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), including two generals leading the elite Quds Force in Syria and Lebanon.
In response, Iran launched approximately 300 missiles and drones against Israel, marking a significant escalation in hostilities between the two nations. The situation underscores the volatility of the region and the potential implications for global security.
