In response to perceived threats from Israel, Iran’s Supreme Leader’s adviser, Kamal Kharrazi, has warned that Iran may be forced to change its nuclear policy. Kharrazi stated that while Iran does not currently have plans to construct nuclear weapons, it would have no choice but to reconsider if its existence is threatened.
This warning comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and Israel. Last month, Iran launched attacks against Israel in retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike on its embassy compound in Damascus. Israel responded with its own attacks on Iranian territory.
Kharrazi’s statement also follows recent negotiations between Iran and the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The IAEA has expressed concern that Iran has enough uranium enriched to near-weapons-grade levels to produce “several” nuclear bombs if it chooses to do so.
Tensions between Iran and the IAEA have escalated since 2018, when then-US President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from Iran’s nuclear deal with world powers. Since then, Iran has abandoned limits on its nuclear program and enriched uranium to up to 60% purity, approaching weapons-grade levels of 90%.
It is important to note that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has previously issued a fatwa, or religious edict, prohibiting the development of nuclear weapons. However, the adviser’s statement suggests that Iran may be reconsidering this position in light of perceived threats from Israel. The situation remains complex and fluid, and it is unclear how Iran will ultimately respond to these threats.
