Iranian MP Mahmoud Nabavian on Monday called for Tehran to change its nuclear policy to allow it to develop "any weapon that creates deterrence" against attacks on the country.
His comments follow a series of similar remarks from senior officials, who said Iran should abandon its long-standing position against developing nuclear weapons, after coming under direct attack from Israel twice this year.
Speaking at an open session of parliament, Mr Nabavian said national security was a "red line" and that adapting Iran’s nuclear policy had become a “clear necessity”, state news agency Irna reported.
“The Iranian nation will utilise any weapon that creates deterrence against its enemies,” he was quoted as saying. “The Iranian nation must be equipped with all the weapons that its terrorist enemies, America and Israel, possess.”
Iran and Israel exchanged direct attacks direct in April and October amid rising regional tension caused by the war in Gaza. Iran launched barrages of missiles, drones and rockets at Israel that were largely intercepted by air defence systems, with help from allies including the US. Israel's attacks are believed to have damaged Iran's air defence systems and weapons production sites, after Washington put pressure on Israel to avoid striking nuclear and oil production sites.
Iran has long insisted that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes, with a fatwa issued by supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei banning the development of nuclear weapons. But the country is believed to be close to enriching uranium to weapons-grade levels, after the collapse if a nuclear deal with world powers in 2018. The 2015 agreement, known as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), placed curbs on Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for the lifting of sanctions on Tehran.
The head of Iran's Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, which advises Mr Khamenei, said in May that Iran had not made a decision to produce an atomic bomb, but would have to "change its nuclear doctrine" if it came under an existential threat, particularly if its nuclear sites were attacked. Months earlier, Intelligence Minister Mahmoud Alavi said a "cornered cat" behaved differently than when it was free.
"If they [western states] push Iran in that direction, then it's no longer Iran's fault," he told state TV. In April, Brig Gen Ahmad Haq Talab, a commander at the nuclear centres protection and security unit of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said the country's policies could be revised if its nuclear sites were attacked.
In an analysis published this month, Hamidreza Azizi, non-resident fellow at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, said such a change in discourse could mean that Iran planned to develop a nuclear weapon, or wanted to raise the stakes in future negotiations.
But the re-election of Donald Trump, who pulled the US out of the nuclear deal during his first term as president, is also a factor, Mr Azizi said. "Trump's return to the White House, with his history of 'maximum pressure' on Iran and unwavering support for Israel, could heighten tensions and serve as a catalyst for Iran's push towards nuclear weapons," he added.
The Bio
Favourite vegetable: “I really like the taste of the beetroot, the potatoes and the eggplant we are producing.”
Holiday destination: “I like Paris very much, it’s a city very close to my heart.”
Book: “Das Kapital, by Karl Marx. I am not a communist, but there are a lot of lessons for the capitalist system, if you let it get out of control, and humanity.”
Musician: “I like very much Fairuz, the Lebanese singer, and the other is Umm Kulthum. Fairuz is for listening to in the morning, Umm Kulthum for the night.”
Teaching in coronavirus times
Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
Petrarch: Everywhere a Wanderer
Christopher Celenza,
Reaktion Books
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE jiu-jitsu squad
Men: Hamad Nawad and Khalid Al Balushi (56kg), Omar Al Fadhli and Saeed Al Mazroui (62kg), Taleb Al Kirbi and Humaid Al Kaabi (69kg), Mohammed Al Qubaisi and Saud Al Hammadi (70kg), Khalfan Belhol and Mohammad Haitham Radhi (85kg), Faisal Al Ketbi and Zayed Al Kaabi (94kg)
Women: Wadima Al Yafei and Mahra Al Hanaei (49kg), Bashayer Al Matrooshi and Hessa Al Shamsi (62kg)
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
If you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Chicago from Dh5,215 return including taxes.
The hotels
Recommended hotels include the Intercontinental Chicago Magnificent Mile, located in an iconic skyscraper complete with a 1929 Olympic-size swimming pool from US$299 (Dh1,100) per night including taxes, and the Omni Chicago Hotel, an excellent value downtown address with elegant art deco furnishings and an excellent in-house restaurant. Rooms from US$239 (Dh877) per night including taxes.
Dubai World Cup Carnival card
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 Group 1 (PA) US$75,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
7.05pm: Al Rashidiya Group 2 (TB) $250,000 (Turf) 1,800m
7.40pm: Meydan Cup Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,810m
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,600m
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
9.25pm: Al Shindagha Sprint Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,200m
10pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 2,000m
The National selections:
6.30pm - Ziyadd; 7.05pm - Barney Roy; 7.40pm - Dee Ex Bee; 8.15pm - Dubai Legacy; 8.50pm - Good Fortune; 9.25pm - Drafted; 10pm - Simsir
McIlroy's recent struggles
Last six stroke-play events (First round score in brackets)
Arnold Palmer Invitational Tied for 4th (74)
The US Masters Tied for 7th (72)
The Players Championship Tied for 35th (73)
US Open Missed the cut (78)
Travellers Championship Tied for 17th (67)
Irish Open Missed the cut (72)
The Farewell
Director: Lulu Wang
Stars: Awkwafina, Zhao Shuzhen, Diana Lin, Tzi Ma
Four stars
The Way It Was: My Life with Frank Sinatra by Eliot Weisman and Jennifer Valoppi
Hachette Books
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
