Calls for Iran to develop nuclear weapons are growing louder after the war with the US and Israel. Hardliners argue that a domestic nuclear arsenal could serve as a deterrent against future attacks, the FT writes.
As the newspaper notes, previously, open calls for Iran to build nuclear weapons could have been seen as a challenge to the authority of the country’s supreme leader. However, following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a result of US and Israeli strikes on 28 February, such calls have become more frequent. Khamenei’s successor, Mojtaba, who, according to the newspaper, is in hiding, has not publicly explained whether he will adhere to his father’s position.
Ali Khamenei previously issued a fatwa against developing nuclear weapons. Now some politicians, analysts and MPs are urging Tehran to abandon that stance and withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
A representative of the parliamentary committee on national security, Hasan Ghashghavi, said that the new supreme leader could make a different religious ruling on the nuclear issue. He also stressed the need to create a “full deterrence cycle” to prevent a repeat of a situation in which negotiations give way to war.
Supporters of nuclear armament cite North Korea as an example, arguing that its nuclear arsenal is an effective means of protection against external intervention. At the same time, some Iranian politicians oppose such a course. In particular, the reformist Hossein Marashi said that protecting Iran and the Islamic Republic is more important than enriching uranium and preserving nuclear achievements.
Despite the intensifying debate, Tehran’s official position remains unchanged: the country says its nuclear programme is peaceful and does not envisage the creation of weapons.
According to the Financial Times, one of the main questions for the US and Western countries is the fate of Iran’s stockpile of about 440 kg of uranium enriched to 60%. Further enrichment could bring it closer to weapons-grade levels. It is believed the stockpile may be under the rubble of nuclear facilities that were bombed.
The US is demanding that this uranium be transferred out of Iran. Tehran refuses; however, according to the newspaper, Iranian officials have allowed for the possibility of discussing diluting the stockpile as part of a broader deal to lift US sanctions and unfreeze blocked funds.
For now, there are no signs of a final Iranian decision to change its nuclear doctrine. The next course will depend on whether the country’s leadership sees developing nuclear weapons as a way to prevent new attacks or, conversely, as a reason for them to be brought forward.
- The US secured the adoption of a resolution by the IAEA Board of Governors condemning Iran and referring the issue of its nuclear programme to the UN Security Council.