Khamenei's Fatwa: The Smoke Screen for Iran's Nuclear Ambitions

Amid recent developments, Iran's nuclear program, shrouded in secrecy for decades, has resurfaced as a serious threat. A statement issued by the Iranian National Resistance Council's Defense and Strategic Research Committee on October 14, 2024, revealed that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has ordered the Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) to expedite the completion of their nuclear bomb project.

From the outset, Khamenei's 2010 fatwa, which claimed that the development and use of nuclear weapons is forbidden under Islamic law, was intentionally designed to deceive the international community and obscure Iran's true nuclear ambitions.

In his 2010 statement, Khamenei declared, “We do not believe in nuclear weapons and will not seek to acquire them. According to our religious and ideological principles, the use of such weapons of mass destruction is prohibited.” It has now become clear that this statement aimed to mislead international observers while secretly developing nuclear capabilities.

The Iranian National Resistance Council, which has monitored Iran's nuclear ambitions for over three decades, has consistently revealed secret facilities for uranium enrichment and other clandestine operations of the regime. Given these discoveries, it is now evident that Khamenei's fatwa was merely a deceptive maneuver to hide the true scope of Iran's nuclear intentions.

The disclosure of secret documents from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard highlights increasing pressures within the regime to reevaluate its nuclear doctrine. Senior Iranian officials, including Hassan Khomeini, a prominent cleric and relative of the regime's founder, have publicly called for enhanced military deterrence, pointing to the need for "iron fists" in facing regional threats. On October 5, Hassan Khomeini emphasized that "military deterrence must rise to a higher level," indicating that factions within the regime are pushing for Iran to acquire nuclear weapons as the ultimate form of deterrence.

These internal calls were echoed in a message signed by 39 members of the Iranian parliament on October 9, urging a shift in defense policy to include nuclear weapons. Some parliament members openly suggested that Khamenei's fatwa may be subject to change based on evolving geopolitical circumstances. For instance, parliamentary member Mohammad Reza Sobhaghian stated, "Building a nuclear weapon is essential for creating deterrence and ensuring national security."

Khamenei has remained silent on these public discussions, leaving many to speculate that the fatwa is no longer relevant and that the regime's nuclear ambitions have shifted toward building a strategic arsenal to secure its future.

The Iranian National Resistance Council has repeatedly warned the international community about the dangers posed by the Iranian nuclear program, emphasizing that time is running out to curb the regime's ambitions. For over three decades, the Iranian resistance has exposed Tehran's nuclear activities through more than 120 press conferences, including key revelations about uranium enrichment at Natanz and the heavy water project in Arak.

Despite these efforts, the international community's response has often been hesitant, allowing Iran the necessary space to develop its nuclear program. Now, with internal documents leaking the regime’s urgent pursuit of nuclear weapons, the Iranian National Resistance Council stresses the need to activate the "snapback mechanism" outlined in UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which would reinstate suspended sanctions and curtail Iran's nuclear activities. The Council also insists that the overthrow of the current regime is the only solution to permanently eliminate the nuclear threat it poses to the Iranian people and the broader region.

As tensions escalate, the international community must decide whether to take decisive action or risk further destabilizing a region already plagued by conflicts. The Iranian resistance continues to advocate for international solidarity to prevent the regime from realizing its nuclear aspirations.

— Mahmud Hakmian, Levant