Ali Larijani advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. File photo: IRNA
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A top aide to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei warned on Monday that his country will have “no choice” but to develop nuclear weapons if it comes under “any attack” by the United States or Israel, signalling a potential shift under Khamenei who has long opposed atomic weapons on a religious basis.
“If the US or Israel bomb Iran under the nuclear pretext, Iran will be compelled to move toward producing an atomic bomb,” Ali Larijani said during a televised interview, pointing to a religious edict, fatwa, by Khamenei that prohibits nuclear weapons.
The moderate politician, who served as Iran’s parliament speaker between 2008 and 2020, said that Tehran is carrying out nuclear work “under the supervision” of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and that “we are not moving towards [developing] nuclear weapons.” Indirectly addressing Washington and Tel Aviv, Larijani said, “You are doing this with your own hands. Iran does not want to take that path, but in any case, when you apply pressure, it provides [Iran with] a secondary justification to do so.”
Larijani warned that if the Trump administration makes a "strategic mistake," it may face significant public pressure, potentially compelling it to pursue the development of nuclear weapons.
On March 7, Trump said that he had sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei signaling openness to new nuclear negotiations, but threatened possible military action if Iran refuses to cooperate stating, “If we have to go in militarily, it’s going to be a terrible thing for them.”
On Saturday, Trump warned that “there will be bombing” against Iranian interests if Tehran fails to reach an agreement with Washington.
“If at any point you move toward bombing — whether by yourselves or by Israel — you will force Iran to make a different decision. That is not in your interest either, so however you calculate it, there's no benefit in it for you,” Larijani said.
In November, Larijani signaled Tehran’s willingness to pursue a new nuclear deal with the incoming Trump administration, but emphasized it would come with conditions and require US compensation.
On Monday, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned of a strong response if the Islamic republic is attacked, after a threat from Trump.
In this regard, Larijani added that although the possibility of a US attack on Iran is minor, as there would be no benefit to such an action,“ It’s not the case that just because the likelihood is low, we would lack preparedness - our readiness is complete.”
Iran’s foreign minister on Friday downplayed the possibility of American military action against the Islamic republic, but said Tehran stands ready “for both threats and diplomacy.”
Under a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, Iran agreed to curb its nuclear enrichment program in exchange for much-needed relief from crippling sanctions. The deal began unraveling in 2018 when Trump, during his first term, unilaterally withdrew the US from the accord and reimposed biting sanctions on Iran.
Tehran waited a year and then gradually ramped up its nuclear activities.
After returning to office, Trump in early February restored his maximum pressure policy on Tehran, arguing that it is “too close” to a nuclear weapon.
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