'If Iran's existence be threatened...': Iran's big nuclear bomb warning to Israel amid tension
PTC News Desk: An adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has raised concerns about the country's nuclear ambitions, especially in light of rising tensions with Israel. The adviser, Kamal Kharrazi, hinted at a shift in Iran's nuclear doctrine if Israel is perceived to be threatening its existence.
"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," Kharrazi stated.
Tensions between Iran and Israel erupted when the former launched a barrage of explosive drones and missiles directly at Israeli territory in response to the bombing of Iran's embassy in Syria's capital Damascus earlier in April.
Despite Ayatollah Khamenei's previous fatwa against nuclear weapons development, Iran's then-intelligence minister hinted in 2021 that external pressures, especially from Western nations, might prompt a rethinking of Iran's nuclear ambitions.
"In the case of an attack on our nuclear facilities by the Zionist regime (Israel), our deterrence will change," Kharrazi stated.
Against this backdrop, efforts to engage with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have had mixed results. While discussions between Iranian nuclear officials and IAEA representatives have been described as positive and productive, tangible progress is still elusive. The head of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi, expressed frustration with Iran's alleged lack of cooperation, emphasising the importance of concrete measures to address outstanding concerns about Iran's nuclear activities.
- With inputs from agencies
