No decision to build a nuclear bomb but..: Iran hints at nuclear ambitions

Tehran: An adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei hinted at Iran’s nuclear ambitions citing escalating tensions with Israel, NDTV reported.

Kamal Kharrazi said the country has no decision to build a nuclear bomb but it would do so if its existence comes under threat of Israel.

"We have no decision to build a nuclear bomb, but should Iran's existence be threatened, there will be no choice but to change our military doctrine," Kharrazi reportedly said.

Recently, Iran triggered tension after launching explosive drones and missiles targeting Israel territory, raising concerns about a direct military engagement between both countries.

Iran was responding to the bombing of Iran's embassy in Syria's capital Damascus earlier in April.

In 2021, Iran’s then intelligence minister said that pressures particularly from Western countries would lead the country to reconsider its stand on nuclear weapons.

This message back then came despite Ayatollah Khamenei's previous fatwa against nuclear weapons development.

"In the case of an attack on our nuclear facilities by the Zionist regime, our deterrence will change," Kharrazi reportedly said.

It is reported that no tangible progress has been made in the discussions between Iran’s nuclear officials and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) , though the efforts were termed as ‘positive and productive’.

Rafael Grossi, the head of the IAEA, reportedly pointed out Iran’s alleged lack of cooperation alongside calling for concrete measures to address concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear activities, according to the report.

Last year Iran gave assurance to assist a probe after finding uranium particles at certain sites and place monitoring equipment. The assurances according to reports have not made any progress.

"The present state is completely unsatisfactory for me. We are almost at an impasse and this needs to be changed," AFP news quoted Grossi reportedly as saying.