Iran’s nuclear options on the table despite Khamenei’s fatwa

The head of the Strategic Council for Iranian Foreign Relations, Sayyid Kamal Kharazi, announced that Israel’s retaliatory attacks against Iranian bases fell short of expectations. Kharazi stated that Iran could increase its missile range and, if necessary, change its nuclear doctrine.

Kamal Kharrazi, the head of the Strategic Council for Iranian Foreign Relations and chief advisor to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, spoke to the media. Referring to Israel’s retaliatory attacks on Iranian bases, Kharrazi said, “The Israelis’ response to our missile attacks was very insignificant. Their expectations were much higher, but they gave a disproportionate response.”

Recalling Ayatollah Khamenei’s words, “The Zionist regime made a mistake in its calculations regarding Iran,” Kharrazi said that Israel’s operations against Gaza and Lebanon would not be successful. Kharazi said, “Iran will definitely respond to Israel at the appropriate time and in the appropriate manner. The Israelis’ calculations were wrong from the very beginning. They thought that they could destroy Hamas by attacking Gaza and that they could eliminate Hezbollah by attacking Lebanon. They thought that they would weaken the resistance by martyring the leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah. These were wrong calculations, and even in Israel, many people accept these wrong strategies.”

Emphasizing that Hamas and Hezbollah are continuing on their path by getting stronger, kharrazi said, “Despite the martyrdom of the Hezbollah leader, the resistance continues and Sheikh Naim Qassem was recently appointed in his place. He has been serving in Hezbollah for 30 years and is well-versed in the details of the organization. Under his leadership, Hezbollah will continue on its path while maintaining its strength.”

Making important statements regarding Iran’s nuclear doctrine, Kharrazi said,

“If Iran faces an existential threat, it may change its doctrine. We have the capacity to produce nuclear weapons, but the only obstacle at the moment is that our religious leader has banned this.”

– Kamal Kharazi

Kharrazi said that Iran had proven itself in missile development in the “Real Promise 1 and 2” operations. Kharrazi stated that Iran could increase its missile range and said:

“As Iran, we were keeping the range of our missiles limited due to the sensitivities of the West and Europeans, but since they do not take our sensitivities into consideration, especially on our country’s national sovereignty, we will not take their sensitivities into consideration on this issue. In this sense, we can increase the range of our missiles.”

Referring to the issue of war with Israel, Kharazi said that they were prepared for every scenario and said, “We are not in favor of expanding the war, but we are also ready for war. We have shown our deterrence in our operations against Israel. If the Israelis want to continue this, we will naturally respond.”

Referring to the ongoing ceasefire talks in Lebanon and Gaza, Kharazi said, “Iran has no interference in the ceasefire talks. This issue is entirely a matter of concern to the Lebanese and Palestinians. We will support whatever decision they make.”