TEHRAN: Iranian Member of Parliament Ali-Asghar Nakhaei-Rad has called for a significant shift in Iran’s military strategy, advocating for the nation to equip itself with nuclear weapons, as reported by local media outlet Trend News Agency.

According to Trend News Agency, Nakhaei-Rad emphasized the distinction between possessing nuclear weapons and their actual use. He further revealed that a contingent of 39 Iranian MPs have formally requested the Supreme National Security Council to reconsider the country’s defense doctrine to potentially include the development of nuclear arms. The findings from this review are expected to be presented to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, who may approve the proposed changes, signaling a possible pivotal shift in Iran’s nuclear policy.

The call for nuclear armament comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, particularly between Iran and Israel. This development is part of a broader discourse within Iran on how to address these growing security
concerns. The debate has gained momentum following the US’s withdrawal from the Comprehensive Joint Plan of Action (JCPOA) in May 2018, which had previously been established in January 2016 with world powers including the US, Russia, China, the UK, France, and Germany to regulate Iran’s nuclear program.

Following the US exit from the agreement and the reinstatement of sanctions against Iran, the Iranian parliament passed a strategic plan towards the end of 2020 aimed at advancing its nuclear capabilities to counteract the sanctions. This plan included suspending compliance with the Additional Protocol of the nuclear treaty, which led to a reduction in the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) monitoring capabilities by approximately 20-30 percent.

The developments reflect a significant potential change in Iran’s approach to its nuclear program and its implications for regional stability and international relations.