Between a fatwa and war: how Iran makes sense of its nuclear capability
This article examines the tension between Iran's nuclear ambitions and international non-proliferation efforts. It explores how Iran balances its stated religious opposition to nuclear weapons with its pursuit of nuclear capability under the NPT framework.
Why it matters
Understanding the distinction between nuclear capability and weaponization is critical to global security and the effectiveness of international sanctions and diplomacy.
Under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to abandon its nuclear programme, Iran has “vowed” to protect its nuclear stockpile. At the same time, former supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei disapproved of the use of nuclear weapons on religious grounds. How does Iran reconcile the two positions?
The article provides a balanced overview of international regulatory frameworks and the geopolitical challenges faced by Iran without taking a partisan stance.
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