In a striking revelation, an Iranian parliament member stated Iran has secretly achieved nuclear capabilities.
According to Breitbart News, Iranian MP Ahmad Bakhshayesh Ardestani claimed that Iran has successfully developed a nuclear weapon.
Ahmad Bakhshayesh Ardestani's claim is a significant deviation from Iran's longstanding public position on nuclear armament. Specifically, Tehran has consistently projected compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a treaty restricting its nuclear activities in exchange for relief from international sanctions.
Rafael Grossi, who leads the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), recently criticized the oversight process as "completely unsatisfactory." He indicated that direct dialogue with Iran over its nuclear activities is currently fraught with political obstructions.
This assertion follows the United States' withdrawal from the JCPOA under the administration of former President Donald Trump in 2018. This move isolated the U.S. from other signatories, including China, France, Germany, Russia, and the United Kingdom, who have remained committed to the agreement.
Iran's alleged deviance from its public non-nuclear stance surfaces amid escalating international scrutiny. Ardestani's assertion underscores a geopolitical strategy aimed at balancing perceived threats, particularly from the United States and Israel, despite no explicit nuclear provocation from these nations.
According to Ardestani, Iran's accession to nuclear capabilities is essentially a counterbalance strategy in a global landscape punctuated by confrontations, such as Russia's actions in Ukraine and Israeli operations in Gaza.
In a discussion concerning global strategic balance, Ahmad Bakhshayesh Ardestani said:
In my opinion, we have achieved nuclear weapons, but we do not announce it. It means our policy is to possess nuclear bombs, but our declared policy is currently within the framework of the JCPOA. The reason is that when countries want to confront others, their capabilities must be compatible, and Iran’s compatibility with America and Israel means that Iran must have nuclear weapons.
Meanwhile, other Iranian officials have painted a contrasting picture of Iran's nuclear ambitions. At a recent conference, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian emphatically reiterated Iran’s commitment to a nuclear-free Middle East.
This commitment, however, is juxtaposed against veiled threats from Kamal Kharrazi, a senior adviser to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who suggested a potential shift in Iran’s nuclear policy if its facilities are threatened.
Mohammad Eslami of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization has hinted at intentions to "share" nuclear technology internationally, which aggravates concerns regarding nuclear proliferation.
Grossi's recent remarks further the unsettling observations, noting that Iran has enriched nuclear material sufficient for multiple weapons. This information aligns troublingly with Ardestani's claims, signaling possible shifts in the Middle East's nuclear landscape despite official positions.
The international community remains watchful as panels and treaties continue to navigate these turbulent waters. Iran's allegations of nuclear advancement not only challenge the efficacy and trust within global nuclear agreements like the JCPOA but also foreshadow a potentially tenser nuclear dialogue internationally. The blend of public denial and private affirmation of nuclear capabilities suggests a complex, cautious diplomatic dance on the horizon.
