Iranian supreme president pushes to annul fatwa on nuclear arms

(MENAFN) Senior commanders of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have called on Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to revoke his fatwa, which bans the development and use of nuclear weapons. They argue that acquiring atomic weapons is essential for Iran's survival amidst increasing pressures from Western powers.

Khamenei’s fatwa, issued in the 1990s and publicly declared in 2003, strictly prohibits the production and use of nuclear arms, deeming them incompatible with Islamic principles. This decree has long defined Iran’s nuclear policy. However, growing regional tensions, particularly following Israeli airstrikes on Iranian military sites near Tehran, have led to internal debates about Iran’s defense strategies. The airstrikes, targeting missile production and nuclear research facilities, have highlighted vulnerabilities in Iran’s defense capabilities.

In response, IRGC leaders have expressed concerns that maintaining the fatwa may leave Iran vulnerable to existential threats. They suggest that nuclear weapons could serve as a deterrent against adversaries. Relations between Iran and Western nations have worsened since the US withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal, leading to renewed sanctions and increased diplomatic isolation. Despite this, Khamenei has consistently opposed negotiations with the US, calling them unwise.

Analysts suggest that if Khamenei were to lift the fatwa, it could mark a major shift in Iran’s defense policy, potentially accelerating nuclear development and intensifying tensions with Israel and its allies.

MENAFN10022025000045015687ID1109187787