Iran Issues Major Warning to Israel Amid Escalating Tensions over Nuclear Program

Kamal Kharrazi, the adviser, suggested a potential shift in Iran’s nuclear doctrine if the country perceives its existence to be under threat by Israel. He emphasized that while there is currently no decision to build a nuclear bomb, a threat to Iran’s existence would leave no choice but to change its military doctrine. Tensions between Iran and Israel escalated when Iran launched a barrage of explosive drones and missiles targeting Israeli territory in response to the bombing of its embassy in Syria earlier in April.

This incident has led to a tipping point in the relationship between the two countries. Despite Ayatollah Khamenei’s previous fatwa against nuclear weapons development, Iran’s intelligence minister hinted in 2021 that external pressures, particularly from Western nations, could prompt a reassessment of Iran’s nuclear posture. Efforts to engage with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have yielded mixed results.

Discussions between Iranian nuclear officials and IAEA representatives have been described as positive and productive, but concrete progress remains elusive. The head of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi, expressed frustration over Iran’s alleged lack of cooperation and highlighted the urgency for concrete measures to address outstanding concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear activities. During discussions between Grossi and Iranian officials, both sides acknowledged the potential framework for cooperation in the 2023 agreement, but implementation has been slow.

Concerns were also raised about external interference, particularly from Israel, which Iran views as a hostile actor.