Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has promised “a tooth-breaking response” directed at Israel and the United States “for what they are doing against Iran” and its proxies. His statement came shortly after Kamal Kharrazi, a close advisor, announced Iran’s capability to develop nuclear weapons and hinted at a possible policy shift regarding their use if faced with an existential threat. This rhetoric comes amid ongoing tensions with Israel, as both countries engage in a heated exchange.
Kharrazi explained that while Iran can produce nuclear arms, Khamenei’s fatwa, or religious ruling, currently prohibits their development. “If an existential threat arises, Iran will modify its nuclear doctrine. We have the capability to build weapons and have no issue in this regard,” Kharrazi said, speaking to Lebanon’s Al Mayadeen on Friday. This echoes Iran’s recent stance to potentially expand its ballistic missile range. “The only thing currently prohibiting this is the leader’s fatwa,” Kharrazi clarified, referring to Khamenei’s 2003 religious ruling.
General Mohammad Naeini, a spokesperson for Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, added to the intensifying tone, stating, “A decisive and strong response will be given to the enemy’s new aggression. The response will be beyond the enemy’s comprehension, strategic, and powerful.” He emphasized, “The enemy must learn its lesson that it cannot engage in any act of hostility without receiving a crushing response in return,” clearly referring to Israel.
Meanwhile, U.S. CIA Director William Burns recently said that while the United States lacks evidence of a definitive decision by Iran to construct a nuclear weapon, Iran could obtain the fissile material for an atomic bomb within a week if it decided to do so. According to a State Department spokesperson, the U.S. remains “very concerned” about Iran’s nuclear activities. “The president has made clear: We are committed to never letting Iran obtain a nuclear weapon—and we are prepared to use all elements of national power to ensure that outcome,” the spokesperson affirmed. U.S. intelligence assessments suggest Khamenei has not yet chosen to resume the nuclear weapons program. However, the spokesperson underscored that “we take any nuclear escalation by Iran incredibly seriously and will respond accordingly.”
In light of escalating tensions, the Pentagon recently announced plans to reposition military assets in the Middle East, deploying B-52 bombers, fighter jets, refueling aircraft, and Navy destroyers to the area, particularly as the Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group prepares to exit the region. Pentagon spokesperson Air Force Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder stated, “Should Iran, its partners, or its proxies use this moment to target American personnel or interests in the region, the United States will take every measure necessary to defend our people.”
Iran has long denied pursuing nuclear weapons, pointing to Khamenei’s fatwa as evidence of its stance against such a program since it was effectively abandoned in 2003. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently claimed Israel now has “unprecedented freedom of action” following recent airstrikes against Iran. He declared, “We can reach any place in Iran as necessary,” adding that his “supreme goal” is to prevent Iran from achieving nuclear weapon capability.
This week, Israel conducted three predawn strikes on Iranian military targets, which U.S. officials hoped would be the final exchange in an escalating conflict. The strikes followed Iran’s retaliatory missile launches at Israel, in response to the assassinations of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, sparking further clashes between Israel and Hezbollah, as both vie for regional influence amid Israel’s recent focus shift from the war in Gaza to its Lebanese adversaries. The latest Iranian statements from Khamenei, made on the eve of the 1979 U.S. Embassy takeover anniversary in Tehran, indicate Iran may yet retaliate.
Iran initially downplayed the impact of Israel’s strikes, but recent days have seen an increase in militant language from its officials. Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Commander Hossein Salami warned of “an unimaginable response” for Israel’s assault, as reported by Tasnim, Iran’s semi-official news agency. IRGC Deputy Commander Ali Fadavi echoed this sentiment, vowing a “certain” response to Israel’s aggression. “For over 40 years we have never left an act of aggression unanswered, and we have the capability to target all of the Zionist regime’s assets in a single operation,” Fadavi said, referring to Israel.
Kharrazi also mentioned the erosion of diplomatic goodwill with European nations, which have traditionally served as Iran’s primary diplomatic channels. “In the matter of missile range, we have so far considered Western sensitivities, particularly those of the Europeans,” he remarked. “When they disregard our sensitivities, especially regarding the territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran, there is no reason for us to consider their concerns.” He indicated that, under such conditions, Iran might indeed extend the range of its missiles.
Iran’s nuclear program has been an ongoing source of concern for both the U.S. and Israel, with Tehran previously curbing its nuclear activities under a 2015 nuclear deal. This agreement, facilitated by then-President Barack Obama, offered Iran significant sanctions relief in exchange for limits on its nuclear program. However, in 2017, then-President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the deal, arguing that it did not restrict Iran’s ballistic missile development nor diminish the influence of Iran’s regional proxies. Since the U.S. withdrawal, Iran has expanded its nuclear activities beyond the agreement’s terms and has restricted international inspectors from some nuclear sites.
