Iran issued a stark warning this week, suggesting it may pursue nuclear weapons if it perceives an “existential threat” from Israel, intensifying anxieties in an already volatile Middle East. Tehran’s comments come in response to a series of recent Israeli strikes targeting military sites near the Iranian capital, according to Iranian officials. These strikes, Israel argues, are intended to deter Tehran’s military expansion in the region, but Iran has condemned them as “acts of aggression,” prompting Iran’s government to declare that it is now “ready for war.”
The threat marks a dangerous shift from Iran’s previous stance. For years, Iran has maintained that its nuclear program is peaceful, but recent escalations with Israel appear to be pushing its leadership to reconsider that position, sparking renewed fears of an arms race in the region. Observers note that Israel, already on high alert due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, views Iran’s influence as a primary threat to its security, especially given Iran’s support for regional groups opposing Israel. In response, Israel has intensified operations aimed at neutralizing Iran’s military capabilities, bringing the two closer to direct confrontation.
Analysts worry that the involvement of other major powers, such as Russia, which has backed Iran diplomatically and militarily, could further complicate the situation. Iran’s potential shift toward nuclear weaponizations could not only reshape alliances but also destabilize a region already under immense strain from ongoing conflicts.
Sources for this article include: AP, statements from Iranian and Israeli officials, and international defense analyses.
