Kamal Kharazi, advisor to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said that Iran may have to change its nuclear doctrine if it is exposed to an existential threat from Israel.

Kharazi stressed that Iran is not seeking to build a nuclear bomb, but added: “If Iran’s existence is threatened, there will be no choice but to change our military doctrine.” These statements raised questions about the nature of Iran’s nuclear program amid escalating tensions with Israel.

Khamenei, who has the final say in directing Iran's nuclear program, issued a fatwa in the early 2000s prohibiting the development of nuclear weapons, and he reiterated this position in 2019, stressing that the manufacture and storage of nuclear bombs is "haram."

However, Kharazi had stated in 2022 that Iran possesses the technical capability to make a nuclear bomb, but a final decision has not yet been made.

In 2021, Iran's Intelligence Minister warned that Western pressure could push Tehran to reconsider its position.

The long-standing confrontation between Iran and Israel, which lasted for decades in the context of the “War of Shadows,” came to light last April when Tehran launched about 300 missiles and drones towards Israel in response to an air strike targeting its embassy compound in Damascus, which was believed to be carried out by Israel.

In response to this escalation, Israel carried out attacks on Iranian territory. Which raised fears of a broader conflict erupting between the two sides.

Iran continues to enrich uranium to 60% purity, while 90% enriched uranium is considered the standard for nuclear weapons.

According to estimates by the Atomic Energy Agency, enriching the current amount of uranium to a greater degree could be enough to make two nuclear weapons.

These statements reflect the escalation of the diplomatic and military confrontation between Iran and Israel, and cast a shadow over the fate of the Iranian nuclear program.

In this context, questions remain open about how these threats will affect future stability in the region.