US Reaction to Kharrazi's Threat: Iran Will Never Acquire Nuclear Weapons

The spokesperson for the US State Department described the remarks of the senior advisor to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic regarding a possible revision of Iran's nuclear doctrine as 'irresponsible' and emphasized that the United States will not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons. Matthew Miller made these statements on Thursday, May 20, in response to a journalist's question about how concerning he finds Khamal Kharrazi's statements regarding the revision of Iran's nuclear doctrine. The US State Department spokesperson said, 'These remarks are irresponsible, but as the President and Secretary of State have clearly stated, the United States will ensure in every way that Iran never acquires nuclear weapons.' Mr. Miller added, 'We continue to use various tools to achieve that goal, and all options are on the table.' He also stated that the United States still believes that diplomacy is the best way to achieve a sustainable and effective solution, but given the escalation of tensions, including Iran's failure to cooperate with the agency, we are currently distancing ourselves from such an approach. Khamal Kharrazi, head of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations and senior advisor to Ali Khamenei, threatened in an interview with Al Jazeera Arabic, which Iranian media published on Thursday, that 'we have the capacity to produce a bomb' and that if Iran's 'existence is threatened,' 'we will have to change our nuclear doctrine.' He made these remarks in response to the possibility of targeting Iran's nuclear facilities, stating, 'If they want to strike at Iran's nuclear capabilities, it could naturally lead to a change in Iran's nuclear doctrine.' This Iranian official's comments seem to refer to Israeli plans to attack Iran's nuclear sites if it attempts to acquire nuclear weapons. Tensions between the two countries have escalated in recent months, with Iran firing over 300 missiles and drones into Israeli territory, 99% of which, according to Israeli officials, were intercepted and destroyed. Reports have also emerged indicating that Israeli Air Force targeted radar equipment and the S-300 defense system in Iran's 8th Fighter Base in Isfahan last month in retaliation for Iran's attacks. This Russian-made radar equipment is supposed to protect sensitive nuclear and military facilities in Isfahan and its surroundings. The threat of a potential change in Iran's nuclear doctrine comes at a time when Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, warned earlier this month that Iran is only weeks away from having enough enriched uranium to produce a nuclear bomb, not months. Iranian officials have always cited an alleged fatwa by Ali Khamenei stating that acquiring nuclear weapons is 'haram' (forbidden), but they have never published this fatwa, and Khamal Kharrazi's statements also indicate that such a fatwa, if it exists, could be quickly revoked.