Iran’s nuclear restraint in question after Khamenei’s death

Iran's stance on nuclear weapons has not yet changed, according to Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, but future developments remain uncertain. Araqchi said the country is still following the line set by former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, that is, rejecting weapons of mass destruction based on a religious decision.

But after his death in the aftermath of the war with the US and Israel, there is a question mark over the future direction.

The new leader, Mujtaba Khamenei, has not yet commented publicly on the issue. Araqchi pointed out that such religious decisions depend on a particular spiritual leader and therefore continuity cannot be automatically assumed.

The West, including the US and Israel, has long suspected Iran of developing nuclear weapons, which Tehran denies. It claims that its programme serves civilian purposes.

(reuters, mja)