Iran signals possible change in its nuclear doctrine

Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, vowed “a tooth-breaking response” against Israel and the United States on Saturday “for what they are doing against Iran” and its proxies.

Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, vowed “a tooth-breaking response” against Israel and the United States on Saturday “for what they are doing against Iran” and its proxies.

The comments came a day after Kamal Kharrazi, an adviser to Khamenei, said Iran has the capacity to produce nuclear weapons and is prepared to change its policies on using them if faced with an existential threat, as the the country engages in a high-stakes tit for tat with Israel.

Kharrazi also said the country is likely to increase the range of its ballistic missiles.

“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 told the Lebanese broadcaster Al Mayadeen on Friday.

Kharrazi added that “the only thing currently prohibiting this is the leader’s fatwa.” Khamenei issued a fatwa, or religious ruling, against nuclear weapons in 2003.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/iran-nuclear-doctrine-change-israel-hezbollah-rcna178406

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