TEHRAN — In a development signaling a potential seismic shift in Iranian strategic policy, a prominent lawmaker has suggested that a future leadership under Mojtaba Khamenei could abandon the long-standing religious prohibition against nuclear weapons.
Ahmad Naderi, a member of the Iranian parliament, stated in an interview with the Khaneh Eghtesad news outlet that the current Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s fatwa—a religious ruling declaring nuclear weapons “un-Islamic”—is subject to reconsideration under “changed circumstances.”
For decades, Tehran has maintained that its nuclear program is exclusively peaceful, citing Ali Khamenei’s religious decree as the primary evidence against the pursuit of an atomic bomb. However, Naderi’s remarks highlight a growing movement within the Iranian political establishment to re-evaluate this doctrine in the face of escalating regional tensions.
“From Mojtaba Khamenei’s conduct, my understanding is that his fatwa will be different,” Naderi said, hinting that the next generation of leadership may prioritize “ultimate military deterrence” over previous ideological constraints.
Naderi has been a vocal proponent of developing an atomic arsenal for over a decade. He argued that the current regional security climate, particularly following the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, necessitates a fundamental change in Iran’s military doctrine. According to Naderi, the calls for a nuclear deterrent have moved from the fringe to the mainstream, finding support among Friday prayer leaders and influential representatives of the Supreme Leader’s office.
“I said in parliament that the nuclear doctrine should change,” Naderi added, criticizing the government’s past responses to adversaries as insufficient. He emphasized that the state must now move toward what he described as a “definitive deterrence” strategy to ensure the regime’s survival for the coming decades.
The comments come at a time of heightened speculation regarding the succession of Iran’s leadership and increased scrutiny of the nation’s nuclear trajectory. While Iranian officials have historically dismissed Western intelligence suggesting a secret pursuit of a weapon, the domestic rhetoric has become increasingly emboldened.
The suggestion that the Supreme Leader’s fatwa—often viewed by the international community as the cornerstone of Iran’s non-proliferation commitment—could be discarded by a successor represents a major challenge to global diplomatic efforts.
As Iran faces tightening international pressure and mounting regional conflicts, Naderi’s admission underscores a hardening stance within the halls of power in Tehran. Whether these comments reflect a genuine shift in future policy or are part of a broader strategy to increase leverage against the West remains a critical question for regional security observers. For now, the debate over whether Tehran will move toward becoming a nuclear-armed state appears to be gaining significant traction at the highest levels of the Iranian government.
Disclaimer: This content is auto-generated for informational purposes only.
Source: Read Original News
