Iranian Lawmaker: "We have attained nuclear weapons"

After the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) warned that Iran has "enough uranium to produce a few nuclear bombs," an Iranian lawmaker claimed that his country possesses nuclear weapons.

Ahmad Bakhshayesh Ardestani stated that his country's nuclear policy falls within the framework of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Ardestani said, "In my opinion, we have attained nuclear weapons, but we are not announcing it. This means that our policy is to possess nuclear bombs, but the policy we declared is currently within the JCPOA framework."

Ardestani noted:

"The reason for this is that when countries want to confront others, their capabilities must be compatible, and Iran's compatibility with America and Israel means that Iran must possess nuclear weapons.

In an environment where Russia attacks Ukraine, Israel attacks Gaza, and Iran is a staunch supporter of the Resistance Front, it is natural for the containment system to require Iran to have nuclear bombs. However, whether Iran declares this or not is a separate issue."

Ardestani, 63, has held various positions in the government since the early 1980s and was a close ally of former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Hailing from Isfahan province, Ardestani is known as a figure trusted by the regime.

IRAN NUCLEAR AGREEMENT (JCPOA)

The JCPOA is the abbreviation for the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which is the official name of the Iran nuclear agreement.

The agreement was signed in January 2016 after lengthy negotiations between Iran and the P5+1, comprising the five permanent members of the UN Security Council — the United States, China, Russia, the United Kingdom, and France — plus Germany.

According to the agreement, Iran would limit its enriched uranium production and storage capacity, allow inspection of its nuclear facilities, and modify or close facilities upon recommendations.

In return, sanctions that had long crippled the country's economy would be lifted.

The agreement, signed during Barack Obama's presidency, was withdrawn from by Donald Trump in May 2018. Trump cited the agreement's inadequacy and its failure to address Iran's ballistic missile program as reasons for withdrawal, despite objections from other P5+1 countries.

Trump also began reimposing sanctions on Iran, prompting Iran to gradually withdraw from the agreement and begin enriching uranium beyond the prescribed limits.