New Delhi: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has issued a stark warning that any attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities will be met with rapid reconstruction and expansion.
This declaration comes amid reports that Israel is considering a preemptive strike on Iran’s nuclear sites by mid-2025, potentially with US collaboration. “If you strike a hundred of those, we will build a thousand other ones,” Algemeiner.com quoted Pezeshkian as saying.
The Washington Post, citing American and Israeli officials, suggested that Israel is prepared to act against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure “with or without US support” if diplomatic efforts fail. The Israeli Prime Minister discussed potential US support for action against Iran during a recent meeting with former President Trump. “Israel wants to seize the moment,” WaPo’s David Ignatius wrote, citing American and Israeli officials.
While US President Trump’s “maximum pressure” campaign through sanctions aims to cripple Iran’s nuclear and military funding, he denies any planned military strike, emphasising a preference for a “nuclear peace agreement,” the report at Algemeiner.com highlighted Trump’s statement in a Fox News interview.
Pezeshkian condemns US sanctions as an attempt to “humiliate” Iran, arguing that the country can rely on domestic resources. He also points out the contradiction between US calls for a nuclear deal and the simultaneous imposition of sanctions.
Adding to the tension, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei rejects negotiations with the US calling it “unwise” and “dishonorable,” while Iran’s Air Force commander, Hamid Vahedi affirms Iran’s defensive doctrine but promises a forceful response to any attack, Algemeiner.com reported. “Our country’s doctrine is defensive, but we will respond with force against any enemy attack.”
The International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) report of Iran enriching uranium to near weapons-grade levels heightens concerns about the country’s nuclear ambitions, although Iran maintains its program is for civilian purposes. Israel is reportedly evaluating various strike options, confident in their ability to significantly disrupt Iran’s program.
The UK, France, and Germany have jointly declared Iran’s enrichment levels unjustified for civilian use and potentially enabling rapid development of nuclear weapons. However, US intelligence estimates suggest that an Israeli strike would only delay the program by weeks or months.
With Iran’s support of Hamas, including alleged foreknowledge of the October 2023 attacks on Israel, the regional dynamics are further complicated. The convergence of these factors creates a highly volatile situation in the Middle East, with the potential for significant escalation in the coming months.
Iran serves as the primary international supporter of Hamas, supplying the group with financial resources, weaponry, and military training.
