Member of Institution Under Ali Khamenei: Israel's Nuclear Threat Forces Regional Countries to Reassess Nuclear Doctrine

Abbas Araghchi, Secretary of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations - under Khamenei - and former negotiator for the Islamic Republic, warned about the consequences of Israel's nuclear threats, stating: "These threats could lead to a nuclear arms race in the region and completely disrupt security equations." He continued, stating that regional countries will be compelled to reassess their security calculations and nuclear doctrines and take necessary measures to counter this new threat. In his speech at a conference in Qatar, referring to Israel's policy of 'strategic ambiguity' regarding its nuclear program, he said: "Israel has so far refrained from confirming or denying its possession of nuclear weapons, but now, with its recent statements and actions, it has effectively abandoned this policy and openly refers to its nuclear capabilities." He further noted the recent Israeli attack on a radar base in Iran, adding: "This attack, even though it was repelled by Iran's air defense, indicates a potential danger that Israel can pose regarding Iran's nuclear program." Earlier, Kamal Kharrazi, head of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations and senior advisor to Ali Khamenei, stated on Thursday, May 10, that if the existence of the Islamic Republic is threatened by Israel, Tehran will change its nuclear doctrine. According to Reuters, this statement raises further questions about the true objectives of the Islamic Republic regarding what it claims to be the advancement of a peaceful nuclear program. Domestic media reported Kharrazi saying: "We have no intention of building a nuclear bomb, but if Iran's existence is threatened, we will have to change our nuclear and military doctrine." While the Islamic Republic has always claimed, citing Khamenei's fatwa, that it does not intend to build a nuclear bomb, some government officials have recently mentioned the prospect of producing nuclear weapons. The spokesperson for the U.S. State Department on Thursday, May 10, addressed the threats from Iranian officials regarding the potential change in the government's nuclear policy, stating: "The United States guarantees that Iran will never acquire nuclear weapons." Matthew Miller, in response to a question about Kharrazi's recent threat regarding the potential change in the Islamic Republic's nuclear policy if its existence is threatened, added: "These statements are irresponsible, as the President and Secretary of State of the United States have repeatedly stated, the United States will not allow the Islamic Republic to acquire nuclear weapons by any means." He continued: "We still believe that diplomacy is the best way to achieve a sustainable and effective solution with the Iranian government and will continue to use various tools to achieve that goal, but we emphasize that all options remain on the table and will be used if necessary." The spokesperson for the U.S. Secretary of State also noted that given the escalation of the Islamic Republic's destructive actions worldwide and their refusal to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency, we are currently far from achieving a solution based on diplomacy. Warning from the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency to the Islamic Republic: Stop threatening to 'change nuclear policy'. Senior advisor to Khamenei: If the 'existence' of the Islamic Republic is threatened, we will change our 'military and nuclear doctrine'. Grossi in Isfahan: The Islamic Republic should take 'real, tangible, and practical' steps. The Islamic Republic claims that negotiations with Grossi have been 'positive'; Reuters, citing diplomats, warns to be cautious of 'empty promises'. The U.S. response to the implicit threat from Khamenei's advisor: The Islamic Republic will never acquire nuclear weapons.