Iran has no alternative but to develop a nuclear bomb for self-defence !

Opinion of Iran's State-run news agency

Tehran (Iran): If Iran wishes to engage in dignified and effective negotiations with its adversaries in the future, it must possess strong strategic capabilities and a nuclear deterrent (nuclear bomb). Only with such a capability can Iran achieve lasting peace and security. This would make hostile countries think many times before taking military action, according to an article titled “There is No Alternative to Building a Nuclear Bomb” published by Iran’s State-run news agency, Fars News.

Fars News is regarded as a media organisation close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Only a few weeks ago, under a preliminary agreement between Iran and the United States, Iran had assured that it would not develop nuclear weapons. However, the news agency has now expressed a view that departs from that assurance. Although the article is not regarded as the official policy of the Iranian Government, it indicates that there is an intense domestic debate in Iran over developing a nuclear deterrent.

Argument based on the example of China

The article refers to China-United States relations in the 1970s. It claims that the United States had once threatened to launch a nuclear attack on China. However, only after China developed nuclear weapons were the two countries able to begin serious negotiations. It argues that China could negotiate with the United States on an equal footing only after acquiring strategic strength. Therefore, Iran, too, needs to follow the same path. It further states that the purpose of a nuclear deterrent is not to start a war but to establish a balance of power with nuclear-armed countries such as the United States and Israel. According to the article, this could help keep potential conflicts limited and reduce the possibility of a major war.