Iran prepares for nuclear policy shift: Khamenei's fatwa takes center stage

Recently, the policy of developing nuclear weapons in Iran has been discussed again. The leadership of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is demanding a review of the fatwa issued by the country's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, which prohibits the development and use of nuclear weapons. This was reported by The Telegraph.

The fatwa is being canceled

The IRGC command believes that the need to cancel this fatwa is connected with a change in US policy. According to sources, the re-election of US President Donald Trump has caused serious concern in the Iranian government. Trump may now apply even tougher sanctions and military threats against Iran.

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A source from the IRGC stressed that Iran should have the ability to develop nuclear weapons, as this is an important factor in ensuring the country's strategic security.

"We have all the necessary capabilities to develop nuclear weapons. At present, the only obstacle to this process is a fatwa prohibiting it. This is our last chance to seize our opportunity before it is too late," the source said.

Ali Khamenei's Fatwa Against Nuclear Weapons

In 2005, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei issued an official fatwa prohibiting the development of nuclear weapons and the use of weapons of mass destruction. This fatwa was announced at a meeting of the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), demonstrating to the international community that Iran has no intention of creating nuclear weapons.

However, in recent years, pressure has been increasing on the Iranian government to reconsider the fatwa. In particular, in 2024, several deputies of the Iranian parliament called on the Supreme National Security Council to adopt new decisions on nuclear policy.

Conflicting opinions on Iran's nuclear policy

Kemal Kharazi, the chairman of Iran's Strategic Council for International Relations, acknowledged that the technical capabilities exist to produce nuclear weapons. According to him, currently, the creation of nuclear weapons only requires a political decision and a change in the religious fatwa.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Qani has a completely different view on the issue. He stressed that the fatwa issued by Khamenei is binding on all authorities and no one has the right to violate it.

“This fatwa should be accepted not only as a recommendation, but also as a legally binding document. It must be unconditionally implemented by all authorities,” the minister said.

International community and nuclear weapons concerns

Any change in Iran’s nuclear policy could cause serious concerns in the international community. The United States and European countries are concerned that Iran’s nuclear program poses a security threat.

The news that Iran has withdrawn from the nuclear deal and increased its uranium enrichment level has caused great concern in Washington, Brussels, and Tel Aviv. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly warned that Iran could develop nuclear weapons, calling this an existential threat to Israel.

Iranian opposition fears future of fatwa

The Iranian opposition and some experts fear that the fatwa could be reinterpreted by the government in the future. They believe that if pressure to develop nuclear weapons intensifies, the government could weaken the fatwa legally or keep it in name only.

The opposition and international observers also fear that Iran may use its nuclear program not only for defensive purposes, but also to increase its influence as a regional power.

Discussions about Iran's nuclear policy remain a major focus both domestically and internationally. The fatwa issued by Ali Khamenei prohibiting nuclear weapons remains in effect for the time being, but domestic pressures and the international situation could lead to its revision.

If Iran were to revoke the fatwa or officially declare its intention to develop nuclear weapons, it would have a significant impact not only on the regional but also on the global political situation. Follow “Zamin” news on “Telegram”