An adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has revived concerns regarding the country's nuclear aspirations, especially amid escalating tensions with Israel. Kamal Kharrazi, the adviser, hinted at a potential shift in Iran's nuclear strategy if it perceives its existence to be under threat from Israel.

"We have no current intention to pursue nuclear weapons, but if Iran faces an existential threat, we may have to reconsider our military doctrine," Kharrazi stated.

Tensions between Iran and Israel escalated when Iran launched drones and missiles targeting Israeli territory, retaliating against the bombing of its embassy in Syria's Damascus in April.

Despite Ayatollah Khamenei's previous decree against nuclear weapons, Iran's former intelligence minister suggested in 2021 that external pressures, particularly from Western nations, could prompt a reassessment of Iran's nuclear stance.

"In the event of an attack on our nuclear facilities by Israel, our deterrence strategy will alter," Kharrazi emphasized.

Efforts to engage with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have yielded mixed results. While discussions between Iran's nuclear officials and IAEA representatives have been termed positive, tangible progress remains elusive. Rafael Grossi, the head of the IAEA, expressed frustration over Iran's alleged lack of cooperation, stressing the urgency for concrete measures to address concerns regarding Iran's nuclear activities.

Despite Iran's commitments to assist in investigating uranium particles found at undeclared sites and reinstall monitoring equipment, the IAEA reports indicate limited progress.

"The current state is wholly unsatisfactory. We are nearly at a standstill, and this must change," Grossi remarked.

During discussions between Grossi and Iranian officials, both sides acknowledged the 2023 agreement as a potential framework for cooperation, yet implementation has been sluggish. Concerns were also raised about external interference, particularly from Israel, perceived as a hostile actor by Iran.

An adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has revived concerns regarding the country's nuclear aspirations, especially amid escalating tensions with Israel. Kamal Kharrazi, the adviser, hinted at a potential shift in Iran's nuclear strategy if it perceives its existence to be under threat from Israel.

"We have no current intention to pursue nuclear weapons, but if Iran faces an existential threat, we may have to reconsider our military doctrine," Kharrazi stated.

Tensions between Iran and Israel escalated when Iran launched drones and missiles targeting Israeli territory, retaliating against the bombing of its embassy in Syria's Damascus in April.

Despite Ayatollah Khamenei's previous decree against nuclear weapons, Iran's former intelligence minister suggested in 2021 that external pressures, particularly from Western nations, could prompt a reassessment of Iran's nuclear stance.

"In the event of an attack on our nuclear facilities by Israel, our deterrence strategy will alter," Kharrazi emphasized.

Efforts to engage with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have yielded mixed results. While discussions between Iran's nuclear officials and IAEA representatives have been termed positive, tangible progress remains elusive. Rafael Grossi, the head of the IAEA, expressed frustration over Iran's alleged lack of cooperation, stressing the urgency for concrete measures to address concerns regarding Iran's nuclear activities.

Despite Iran's commitments to assist in investigating uranium particles found at undeclared sites and reinstall monitoring equipment, the IAEA reports indicate limited progress.

"The current state is wholly unsatisfactory. We are nearly at a standstill, and this must change," Grossi remarked.

During discussions between Grossi and Iranian officials, both sides acknowledged the 2023 agreement as a potential framework for cooperation, yet implementation has been sluggish. Concerns were also raised about external interference, particularly from Israel, perceived as a hostile actor by Iran.