Prof. Eyal Zisser, a Middle East expert from Tel Aviv University, stated in a recent interview that Iran may see the development of nuclear weapons as essential for its survival. He noted that while a fatwa from Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei previously prohibited nuclear weapon production, the change in leadership could lead to a shift in policy. Zisser pointed out that Khamenei’s successor is more extreme and influenced by the Revolutionary Guards, suggesting that any internal debate on nuclear arms could lead to an official endorsement of this strategy. He emphasized that historical examples, such as the fates of Muammar Gaddafi and Saddam Hussein, illustrate the dangers of relinquishing nuclear ambitions, contrasting them with North Korea’s perceived immunity due to its nuclear status. Zisser concluded that Iran’s recent military engagements with Israel and the U.S. reinforce the notion that acquiring nuclear weapons is a logical response for Tehran.
Why It Matters
Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons is significant due to the geopolitical implications it holds for regional and international stability. The 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), aimed to limit Iran’s nuclear capabilities in exchange for sanctions relief, but its collapse following the U.S. withdrawal in 2018 has heightened tensions. The historical context of previous leaders who abandoned nuclear aspirations, coupled with the current regime’s assessment of security threats, underlines the critical nature of nuclear capability as a deterrent in Iran’s strategic calculations. With ongoing military confrontations and shifting political dynamics, Iran’s nuclear ambitions pose challenges for diplomacy and regional security.
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