The IRGC-affiliated Fars News Agency published an article arguing Iran can no longer rely on conventional deterrence and must seek nuclear weapons to remove the threat of attack, occupation, or dismantlement. The op-ed compares Iran's situation to China's, claiming Beijing only secured serious negotiations with the US after developing nuclear arms.
In a significant escalation of rhetorical posture, the IRGC-aligned Fars News Agency published an editorial Sunday evening explicitly calling for Iran to pursue nuclear weapons. The article argues that conventional deterrence is no longer sufficient, and that Tehran must achieve nuclear deterrence to 'remove the threat of attack, occupation, or dismantlement of the state.'
The piece — circulated via Iranian Telegram channels — draws a direct parallel to China, claiming Beijing only secured serious negotiations with Washington after it developed nuclear arms. It also asserts that Israel's nuclear deterrence has constrained Iran's operational freedom in recent wars, as Tehran avoided crossing thresholds that might trigger an Israeli nuclear response.
The call comes amid an ongoing period of heightened US-Iran tensions and follows weeks of IRGC statements warning of readiness for expected American strikes. Fars News Agency is widely regarded as a mouthpiece for the Revolutionary Guards, lending the article quasi-official weight even while it remains an op-ed rather than formal state policy.
3 developments
- StrongIran's official news agency confirms MOU pledges not to produce or acquire nuclear weapons
- DevelopingIRGC's Fars news agency attacks Iran FM Araghchi over response to Trump
- DevelopingIranian channel questions why Iran should not have nuclear weapons
- DevelopingIranian state media issues threat against Israel, US via official news agency
Source and signal
- Internal intake