Heating Middle East: Iranian Supreme Leader's Aide Hints At Changing Nuclear Doctrine Amid Tensions With Israel

Amid escalating tensions with Israel, the advisor of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Kamal Kharrazi signaled a shift in the country's nuclear doctrine if it faces any perceived threat from the Jewish nation.

Kharrazi was quoted as saying by NDTV, "We have no decision to build a nuclear bomb, but should Iran's existence be threatened, there will be no choice but to change our military doctrine."

Notably, Khamenei had issued a fatwa against nuclear weapons development but Iran's then-intelligence minister had hinted in 2021 that a reassessment of Iran's nuclear stance can be done due to external pressures.

The statement comes after Israel bombed Iran's embassy in Syria's capital Damascus earlier in April, followed by Iran's retaliation in the form of a launch of a barrage of explosive drones and missiles targeting Israeli territory.

"In the case of an attack on our nuclear facilities by the Zionist regime (Israel), our deterrence will change," Kharrazi further said while Iran is being accused of non-cooperation by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).