Iranian Adviser Says Supreme Leader Could Authorise Nuclear Weapons Development

Calls for Iran to develop nuclear weapons and reconsider its participation in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) have reportedly gained momentum following US and Israeli attacks, according to a report by the Financial Times.

The report describes growing support among hard-line circles in Iran for a reassessment of the country’s nuclear policy. Supporters of the shift argue that diplomatic negotiations have failed to prevent repeated attacks and that Tehran should seriously consider developing a nuclear deterrent.

Hassan Qashqavi, spokesperson for the Iranian parliament’s National Security Committee, said Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, could issue a new religious ruling on nuclear weapons and would face no obstacle to doing so.

A source familiar with the matter cited in the Financial Times report said support for acquiring nuclear weapons in Iran, previously negligible, had risen to more than 50%. The report did not establish the methodology or representativeness of that figure.

Iran’s former supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had issued a religious ruling against the development of nuclear weapons. Following his death, Mojtaba Khamenei has not publicly reaffirmed his father’s position on the issue, according to the supplied report.

Some Iranian voices are also calling for the country to withdraw from the NPT, which provides the international framework for preventing the spread of nuclear weapons.

Despite the reported debate, Iran’s official position has continued to describe its nuclear programme as peaceful. No final official decision to develop nuclear weapons has been announced in the information provided.

The discussion comes amid heightened regional tensions and renewed debate over whether diplomacy can provide sufficient security guarantees for Iran. Any formal change in Tehran’s nuclear policy would have major implications for regional security and international non-proliferation efforts.