Debate in Iran over Khamenei’s Office Considering Nuclear Weapons’ Fatwa Revision

Iran's Bushehr Nuclear Facility (AFP)
Iran's Bushehr Nuclear Facility (AFP)
TT

Debate in Iran over Khamenei’s Office Considering Nuclear Weapons’ Fatwa Revision

Iran's Bushehr Nuclear Facility (AFP)
Iran's Bushehr Nuclear Facility (AFP)

Debate is growing in Iran over changes to its defense policy and a review of the ban on producing nuclear weapons, with the issue reportedly reaching Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s office.

In recent days, Iranian media close to Khamenei expressed concerns about the country’s lack of nuclear deterrence. The Tehran Times said that "uncontrolled Israeli threats are driving Iranian calls for nuclear weapons."

On Thursday, the Fars news agency quoted Rasoul Sanai-Rad, a political adviser to Khamenei, warning that any Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear sites would violate key regional and international boundaries.

Sanai-Rad added that some Iranian politicians are considering changes to nuclear policy, as an attack on energy sites would have serious consequences during and after any conflict.

Iranian military and political leaders have frequently suggested a shift in nuclear policy toward producing nuclear weapons, but they consistently remind the public that this is forbidden by a fatwa from Khamenei.

The current regional tensions are creating a new situation for Iran, especially after recent setbacks for Lebanon’s Hezbollah, its main ally, leading to a belief that Iran is now directly confronting Israel.

Israel is considering its response to Iranian ballistic missile threats. The government is likely to empower Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to decide when and where to strike.

Gallant previously stated that Israel has prepared a “devastating and surprising response to Iran” following an inconclusive call between Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden.

In a session of the Iranian parliament, Deputy Hassanali Akhlaghi Amiri called on the Supreme National Security Council to urgently rethink Iran’s defense doctrine.

Political institutions in Iran are promoting the idea that increasing deterrence against Israel is gaining support among influential and elite groups.

Akhlaghi Amiri asked parliament members, “Why do you limit yourselves to just condemning Israel's actions? Are you afraid? Is life so precious that you accept humiliation?”

He added that revising the fatwa against nuclear weapons, according to Imamite jurisprudence, should consider current circumstances and be presented to the Supreme Leader. However, he acknowledged that “the fatwa still remains in place.”

In 2003, Khamenei issued a fatwa banning nuclear weapons, which is considered a binding advisory opinion.

The Iranian government later announced this fatwa during a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna. A former Iranian president called the fatwa the best guarantee for Iran's pursuit of peaceful nuclear technology.

According to IAEA estimates, Tehran is close to enriching its uranium stock to nearly 90% within two weeks, a level that would allow it to produce a nuclear bomb.



Iran's President Says Tehran Has to Deal with Washington

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian speaks to community members, academic figures, tribal sheikhs and officials during his visit, in Basra, Iraq, September 13, 2024. (Reuters)
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian speaks to community members, academic figures, tribal sheikhs and officials during his visit, in Basra, Iraq, September 13, 2024. (Reuters)
TT

Iran's President Says Tehran Has to Deal with Washington

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian speaks to community members, academic figures, tribal sheikhs and officials during his visit, in Basra, Iraq, September 13, 2024. (Reuters)
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian speaks to community members, academic figures, tribal sheikhs and officials during his visit, in Basra, Iraq, September 13, 2024. (Reuters)

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran will not be able to ignore its arch-foe the United States and needs to "handle its enemies with forbearance", state media reported on Tuesday, a week after Donald Trump won the US presidential election.

"Whether we like it or not, we will have to deal with the US in the regional and international arenas, so it is better to manage this relation ourselves," Pezeshkian, who is viewed as relatively moderate, said.

"We have to treat our friends with generosity and handle our enemies with forbearance."

In 2018, then-President Trump ditched Tehran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers and re-imposed harsh sanctions as part of his "maximum pressure" policy against Iran.

While there have been no reports that the Trump administration plans to hold talks with Tehran after it takes office in January, the President-elect said during his election campaign "I don't want to do damage to Iran but they cannot have nuclear weapons."

Indirect talks between Washington and Tehran to revive the nuclear deal were initiated under the administration of US President Joe Biden, but failed. Iran is still formally part of the deal but has scaled back commitments to honor it due to US sanctions re-imposed on Iran.

Earlier on Tuesday, government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said Iran will pursue whatever secures its interest, when asked if there could be direct talks with the Trump administration.

She cautioned that the final decision for talks rests with the top political figure Ali Khamenei and the Supreme National Security Council.

"The maximum pressure campaign of Trump has failed, even if people have been burdened by it. What is important will be actions and not words, but we recommend Trump to take into account the failure of his past policies," Mohajerani added.