Last year, Iran pledged to help investigate uranium particles found at undeclared sites.
New Delhi:
An adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reignited concerns about the country’s nuclear ambitions, particularly in light of escalating tensions with Israel. Kamal Kharrazi, the adviser, hinted at a change in Iran’s nuclear doctrine if its existence was perceived to be threatened by Israel.
“We have not decided to build a nuclear bomb, but if Iran’s existence is threatened, we will have no choice but to change our military doctrine,” Kharrazi said.
Tensions between Iran and Israel reached a crisis point when the former launched a barrage of drones and explosive missiles directly targeting Israeli territory, in response to the bombing of the Iranian embassy in Damascus , the Syrian capital, at the beginning of April.
Despite Ayatollah Khamenei’s previous fatwa against the development of nuclear weapons, Iran’s intelligence minister at the time suggested in 2021 that external pressure, particularly from Western countries, could prompt a reevaluation of the Iran’s nuclear posture.
“In the event of an attack on our nuclear facilities by the Zionist regime (Israel), our deterrence will change,” Kharrazi added.
In this context, efforts to collaborate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have yielded mixed results. Although discussions between Iranian nuclear officials and IAEA representatives have been described as positive and productive, tangible progress remains elusive. Rafael Grossi, the head of the IAEA, expressed frustration over Iran’s alleged lack of cooperation, emphasizing the urgency of concrete steps to address outstanding concerns over Iran’s nuclear activities.
Last year, Iran pledged to help investigate uranium particles found at undeclared sites and reinstall monitoring equipment. However, IAEA reports indicate that these assurances have not resulted in significant progress.
“The current situation does not satisfy me at all. We are almost at an impasse and this must change,” Grossi said, quoted by the AFP news agency.
In discussions between Grossi and Iranian officials, both sides recognized the 2023 agreement as a potential framework for cooperation, but its implementation has been slow. Additionally, concerns have been raised about external interference, particularly from Israel, which Iran considers a hostile actor.
News Source : www.ndtv.com
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