Ahmad Bakhshayesh Ardestani, an Iranian member of Parliament, recently suggested in an interview that Iran may have developed a nuclear weapon in violation of international law but has not publicly admitted it. Despite claims of abiding by the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Iran has a history of violating the nuclear deal. Ardestani’s remarks were translated by Iran International and he implied that Iran’s policy is to possess nuclear bombs while officially complying with the JCPOA.
Ardestani also discussed the need for Iran to have nuclear weapons in order to be able to confront countries like the United States and Israel. He argued that Iran’s possession of nuclear weapons would enhance its capabilities and deter potential threats. Iran has consistently denied interest in nuclear weapons, maintaining that its nuclear development is peaceful.
In response to Ardestani’s comments, there have been mixed reactions from Iranian officials. While Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian reiterated Iran’s opposition to nuclear weapons in the Middle East, a senior adviser to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei suggested that Iran could change its nuclear doctrine if attacked by Israel. The head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, Mohammad Eslami, expressed interest in sharing nuclear technology with other countries.
International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi has expressed concerns about Iran’s nuclear activities, stating that Iran may have enough nuclear material for multiple weapons. He has called for greater cooperation from Iran in order to address these concerns. Overall, the situation remains tense as Iran’s nuclear ambitions continue to be a point of contention in the international community.
