Iran News: Another state official threatens to develop nuclear weapons

Amid serious economic and domestic crises, the Iranian regime has once again deployed an official to showcase its nuclear capabilities and intentions.

Speaking on a panel at an Al Jazeera seminar in Doha, Qatar, Abbas Araghchi, the regime's former nuclear negotiator and secretary of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, said: “Israel's nuclear threat will change the security dynamics of the region, forcing others to reconsider their policies. position on peaceful nuclear energy.

Araghchi also reaffirmed Tehran's opposition to the normalization of relations between Middle Eastern countries. He called normalization a betrayal of the Palestinian cause and dismissed the so-called “two-state solution” as doomed to failure.

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Wary of reprisals for his warmongering in the #MiddleEastConflict, #IranThe regime sent another official to play the nuclear extortion card, hinting that its supreme leader might reconsider his fatwa and continue nuclear weapons production. pic.twitter.com/NR14AOpObd

– CNRI-FAC (@iran_policy) April 9, 2024

In recent weeks, Iranian officials have repeatedly hinted at their nuclear ambitions. On May 10, Ahmad Bakhshayeshi Ardestani told Ruydad 24: “I believe we have acquired nuclear weapons, but we do not disclose it. Our policy is to possess nuclear bombs while officially adhering to the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action). To confront major powers like the United States and Israel, Iran must be on an equal footing, which means possessing nuclear weapons.”

Despite calls from the European Union, the United States and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for Iran to renounce any intention of developing nuclear weapons, Tehran continues its policy of nuclear power, highlighting the ineffectiveness of Western diplomatic efforts.

Kamal Kharazi, head of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations and advisor to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, emphasized in an interview with Al Jazeera Mubasher: “We have not decided to produce nuclear bombs, but if the existence of Iran is threatened, we will be obliged to do so. change our nuclear doctrine. He reiterated this position shortly after.

In April, Mahmoudreza Aghamiri, a nuclear energy expert, told state television: “According to the supreme leader's fatwa, building a nuclear bomb is religiously prohibited, but if his opinion changes, we have the capacity to build one. »

Since 2002, following the international response to the Iranian Resistance's revelations about Iran's secret nuclear weapons program, Tehran has consistently used threats and negotiations to exploit its nuclear potential. This strategy aims to guarantee its security, political and strategic objectives despite internal and external pressures.

Despite official denials, Tehran's tactic of sending various officials to hint at the development of nuclear weapons aims to pressure the West into concessions, while facing the reality of its status as a Major state sponsor of global terrorism.