A comment by an advisor to Iran's Supreme leader has sparked concerns of a possible nuclear escalation in the Middle East amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. Kamal Kharrazi, who works as an advisor to the 85-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, told a Lebanese media outlet that Iran could change its nuclear doctrine if faced with an 'existential threat.'
Currently, nuclear weapons are officially banned in Iran, based on a 2003 religious ruling by Khamenei. As per reports, the fatwa dates back to the 1990s, though the first recorded public announcement about it reportedly took place in October 2003. Iran followed it up with an official statement on nuclear weapons with a statement at a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in August 2005.
However, Kharrazi told Lebanon's Al Mayadeen news outlet that the country's nuclear policy could change if the conflicts with Israel, backed by the United States, create an "existential threat" for Iran.
“If an existential threat arises, Iran will modify its nuclear doctrine. We have the capability to build weapons and have no issue in this regard,” Kharrazi said. “The only thing currently prohibiting this is the leader’s fatwa.”
Also read: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader Warns Of ‘Crushing Response’ To Israel And US After Recent Strike
The comment came on the heels of the Ayatollah saying at an event with students on Saturday that the country would deliver a "crushing response" to Israel and the US. Khamenei said that Israel will receive a "crushing response to what they are doing to Iran and the Iranian nation and to the resistance front.”
Concerns about an Iranian response have been looming large ever since Israel targeted Iran's military sites in a massive air strike. Many reports have emerged of high-ranking officials in Iran saying publicly that a response will come soon.
For instance, Mohammad Naeini, a spokesperson for Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, said that a “decisive and strong response" will be given to the "enemy's new aggression." The response will be beyond the enemy’s comprehension, strategic, and powerful,” he added. However, there is no clarity on the timing and other details of a response.