Growing Demand for Nuclear Weapons Among Iranians Amid Rising Tensions
In the wake of escalating military actions by the United States and Israel, a surprising shift in public sentiment appears to be taking place in Iran. Recent comments from Iranian affairs analyst Mostafa Khoshcheshm highlight a growing desire among some sectors of the Iranian population for the government to develop nuclear weapons. This demand, reportedly gaining traction in Tehran, emerges against a backdrop of international discontent and perceived threats to national security.
According to Khoshcheshm, following a series of Israeli airstrikes and the concurrent assertion from the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency that Iran has not complied with obligations under the nuclear agreement, public frustration is palpable. Iranians are increasingly vocal about their disappointment not only with external threats but also with the UN’s stance, feeling it undermines their country’s sovereignty and security.
The core of this growing sentiment lies in a striking contrast to the long-standing position articulated by Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In the early 2000s, Khamenei issued a fatwa declaring the pursuit of nuclear weapons as “haram,” or forbidden, in Islam—maintaining that Iran would not seek atomic arms. Despite this decree, Khoshcheshm suggests that calls for a nuclear program are rising among the populace, driven by a sense of insecurity and the desire for deterrence in a region marked by hostility.
"Still, there are a growing number of people demanding the Islamic Republic to make a bomb in order to protect their security,” Khoshcheshm noted, reflecting a significant shift in public opinion as nationalistic fervor mounts in response to foreign aggression.
The implications of this sentiment are far-reaching, posing a challenge not only for the Iranian government but also for diplomatic efforts aimed at curbing nuclear proliferation in the region. As tensions continue to rise, the prospects for a dialogue on Iran’s nuclear program may become increasingly complex, with public opinion exerting pressure on the government that could lead to a reevaluation of its longstanding policies.
This evolving narrative raises critical questions about the future of Iran’s nuclear ambitions, the resilience of its leadership’s ideological commitments, and the potential for further escalations in the already volatile landscape of Middle Eastern geopolitics. As calls for a nuclear bomb gain momentum, the international community watches closely, apprehensive about the consequences of a nuclear-armed Iran.
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Video “More Iranians now demand nuclear bomb after US-Israel strikes: Analysis” was uploaded on 06/29/2025 to Youtube Channel Al Jazeera English