Iranian Lawmakers Push for Nuclear Weapons as Tehran, Moscow Prepare Deal on New Reactors

Iranian lawmakers are pushing for a major shift in the country’s official defense policy, calling for the development of a nuclear weapon as a deterrent amid stalled talks with European powers and the looming threat of renewed United Nations sanctions.

More than 70 members of Iran’s parliament signed a letter to the country’s National Security Council, calling for a “review of the Islamic Republic’s defense doctrine,” Iranian media reported on Monday.

In the letter, Iranian lawmakers argued that while a 2010 fatwa — a religious ruling — by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei prohibits the use of nuclear weapons, developing and maintaining them “as a deterrent is another matter.”

“In Shia jurisprudence, a change in circumstances and conditions can alter the ruling,” the letter read.

“Moreover, safeguarding Islam — which today is bound to the preservation of the Islamic Republic — is among the paramount obligations. On this basis, the original prohibition can, as a secondary ruling, be transformed into a permissibility,” it continued.

The lawmakers’ push comes as Iran grapples with the threat of UN sanctions under the so-called “snapback” mechanism, set to take effect Sept. 28.

On Friday, the UN Security Council rejected a draft resolution to permanently lift sanctions on Iran, after Britain, France, and Germany launched a 30-day process last month accusing Tehran of violating the 2015 nuclear deal meant to curb its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian pledged that the country would withstand any renewed sanctions and continue pursuing its national interests.

“The ‘snapback’ may try to block the path, but it is ideas and determination that pave the way forward,” Pezeshkian said in a televised speech on Saturday.

“They cannot stop us. They can strike our Natanz or Fordow, but they forget that it is people who built them — and people who will rebuild them,” the Iranian leader continued, referring to the Israeli and US strikes on the country’s nuclear facilities in June.

Iran has long maintained that its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes, with officials citing Khamenei’s fatwa order against nuclear weapons as evidence.

However, Western countries have long accused Tehran of seeking the capability to develop nuclear weapons.

“We will never surrender in the face of excessive demands because we have the power to change the situation,” Pezeshkian said in his address over the weekend.

Britain, France, and Germany — collectively known as the E3 — have offered to delay reimposing UN sanctions for up to six months to give more time for negotiations on a long-term deal over Iran’s nuclear program.

However, the offer depends on Tehran restoring access for UN inspectors, addressing concerns about its enriched uranium stockpile, and engaging in talks with Washington.

Unless Iran and European powers reach an agreement to delay the reimposition of sanctions within a week, the snapback process will go forward.

Russia and China, also signatories to the 2015 nuclear deal, have strongly opposed the European push to reimpose UN sanctions on Tehran.

On Monday, Mohammad Eslami, head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, announced that Tehran and Moscow are set to sign an agreement in the coming days to build new nuclear power plants, further expanding their defense cooperation

According to Eslami, the agreement between the two governments calls for Russia to build eight nuclear power plants.