WANA (Aug 22) – Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Nasser Kanaani, has dismissed recent statements by U.S. officials suggesting that Iran could potentially acquire nuclear weapons in the near future.

 

Kanaani reaffirmed that nuclear weapons have never been part of Iran’s defense and security doctrine, describing these allegations as a continuation of the “Iranophobia” campaign, particularly in the context of the upcoming U.S. presidential elections.

 

Kanaani stressed that such accusations will not deter Iran from continuing and expanding its peaceful nuclear program. He blamed the current situation surrounding Iran’s nuclear activities on the unilateral withdrawal of the United States from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

 

He also pointed out the similarity between the recent claims made by U.S. Representative Mike Turner, who asserted that Iran could develop nuclear weapons by the end of the year, and past allegations by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

 

Kanaani emphasized that these claims are aimed at securitizing Iran’s peaceful nuclear program and align with Israel’s anti-Iran policies.

 

He further noted that while the U.S. was the first country to use nuclear weapons, Israel possesses a significant stockpile of nuclear warheads, estimated by various sources to range from 80 to 400.