US Strikes Could Propel Iran Toward Nuclear Armament: An In-Depth Analysis
In a recent interview with Al Jazeera, Trita Parsi, a prominent analyst at the Quincy Institute, expressed his stark warnings regarding the implications of U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iran. Rejecting the notion propagated by former President Donald Trump that Iran poses an "existential threat," Parsi characterized these aggressive tactics against a non-nuclear Iran as reckless and short-sighted.
Parsi asserted that the violent provocations would likely backfire, catapulting Iran towards developing nuclear weapons within the next five to ten years. He argued that the strikes not only threaten to destabilize regional dynamics but also incentivize Iran to enhance its nuclear proliferation efforts. His concerns are rooted in the belief that such strikes would solidify Iranian resolve, pushing the nation closer to a nuclear breakout capability instead of diminishing its ambitions.
In his analysis, Parsi highlighted that Iran might have strategically relocated its enriched uranium stocks in anticipation of the strikes, a move that maintains the integrity of its nuclear program despite claims of success from U.S. officials. "Mission accomplished" rhetoric from Trump, he noted, overlooks the realities on the ground and undersells the potential resilience of Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
Furthermore, Parsi predicted that Israel would continue its campaign of sustained bombings, which could include targeted assassinations of Iranian scientists. Despite these aggressive maneuvers, he expressed skepticism about the abilities of regional allies like Hezbollah and Houthis to escalate further in aid of Iran.
The psychological fallout among the Iranian public, as Parsi articulated, is also significant. A sense of shock and anger could harden popular attitudes, leading to an internal conflict between calls for retaliation and fears of provoking a broader war with the United States.
While Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the U.S. strikes as "outrageous," pledging that all options remain on the table, Parsi emphasized a critical risk: these actions could undermine global nuclear norms without effectively crippling Iran’s capabilities.
As the geopolitical landscape shifts rapidly, the repercussions of such military engagements could set a dangerous precedent—not only for Iran but for the broader international community as it grapples with the challenges of nuclear proliferation and regional stability.
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Video “US strikes may push Iran toward nuclear weapons in 5–10 years: Analysis” was uploaded on 06/22/2025 to Youtube Channel Al Jazeera English