- Iranian military spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaghari stated that Tehran needed atomic weapons to deter Israel.
- This statement responds to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who claimed a nuclear Iran would spell the end of his country.
- This official declaration breaks with Iran’s traditional stance, which until now maintained it was only developing civilian nuclear power.
An Unprecedented Justification for Nuclear Deterrence
The Iranian military command has publicly asserted Tehran’s need to possess military nuclear capabilities. Addressing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directly on the social network X, Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for the Khatam el-Anbiya headquarters, affirmed that these weapons were essential to counter the Hebrew state’s policy in the region. This official statement responds to the Israeli leader’s declarations, according to which a nuclear-armed Iran would destroy Israel. The Iranian military representative presented nuclear capability as a deterrent against Israeli operations carried out notably in Gaza and Lebanon. This declaration constitutes a major rhetorical turning point for the Islamic Republic, which until now maintained that its nuclear programme was strictly limited to civilian applications.
Persistent Diplomatic and Economic Stalemate
This announcement comes within the context of the armed conflict between Iran and the Israeli-American coalition since 28 February 2026. In parallel with this military communication, the Iranian government has reaffirmed its determination to confront Washington’s economic sanctions, which were tightened by US President Donald Trump after the breakdown of summer negotiations. Tehran emphasised that diplomacy and defence remain inseparable tools for preserving its territorial integrity, while also announcing measures to limit its economy’s dependence on the US dollar. The officialisation of a nuclear deterrence doctrine risks further straining regional relations, as strategic control of the Strait of Hormuz remains central to the confrontations.
