A growing number of Iranians are demanding that their government build a nuclear bomb, according to Iranian affairs analyst Mostafa Khoshcheshm. This shift in public opinion comes after the Israeli-US attacks earlier this month and the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) report that Iran failed to comply with its obligations under a nuclear pact.
“I’ve been hearing increasing voices in Tehran from among the public demanding a nuclear bomb from the Islamic Republic,” Khoshcheshm told Al Jazeera. This sentiment is driven by a desire for security and a perception that the international community is not taking Iran’s concerns seriously.
Despite Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s decree that the country will not pursue atomic arms, Khoshcheshm notes that there are a growing number of people demanding the Islamic Republic to make a bomb in order to protect their security. Khamenei, who has the final say on the matter, banned the development of nuclear weapons in a fatwa, or religious edict, in the early 2000s, saying it is “haram”, or forbidden, in Islam.
Recent Developments and International Concerns
- The US has estimated that Iran would need mere weeks to build a nuclear bomb if it chooses to, underscoring the urgency of addressing Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
- Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium has reached 60%, which is only a short technical step away from the 90% purity required for nuclear weapons.
- The IAEA has repeatedly expressed concerns about Iran’s lack of full cooperation with inspections and the increasing sophistication of its enrichment capabilities.
Implications of Iran’s Nuclear Program
- A nuclear-armed Iran would significantly alter the regional security dynamics, potentially triggering an arms race in the Middle East.
- Neighboring countries, feeling threatened, may be compelled to pursue their own nuclear deterrents, leading to a dangerous cycle of escalation.
- The international community is faced with a critical juncture, where diplomatic efforts and collective action are necessary to prevent further escalation.
Public Opinion and Future Prospects
A recent survey suggests that Iranian citizens are growing more receptive to nuclear weapons, with 71% supporting the possession of nuclear weapons after the April 1 attack, a four percentage point increase from before the attack. This shift in public opinion poses a significant challenge to Iran’s official nuclear policy, which strongly rejects the development and use of nuclear weapons.
As tensions continue to rise, the international community must navigate a delicate balance of deterrence and diplomacy to prevent further escalation and promote a peaceful resolution to the crisis.