Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi spoke to Al Jazeera on Wednesday. He confirmed that Tehran’s stance against nuclear weapons remains unchanged. However, he attached an important caution to that statement. The new Supreme Leader has not yet spoken publicly on nuclear weapons.
For decades, former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei shaped Iran’s nuclear policy. He issued a fatwa in the early 2000s. That fatwa declared nuclear weapons religiously forbidden under Islamic law.
Khamenei died during the US-Israeli war against Iran. His son Mojtaba Khamenei now leads the country as Supreme Leader. So far, Mojtaba has not issued his own fatwa on nuclear weapons.
Araqchi addressed this gap directly. He explained that fatwas depend entirely on the jurist who issues them. Therefore, each Supreme Leader can hold a different religious position. Araqchi also said he cannot yet judge Mojtaba’s political or religious views.
Iran Denies Seeking Nuclear Weapons
Western nations have long accused Iran of secretly pursuing nuclear weapons. The United States and Israel have led those accusations for years. Iran, however, firmly denies every single one of them.
Iranian authorities maintain a consistent position. They say their nuclear programme serves only civilian energy purposes. Araqchi’s statement on Wednesday reinforces that official stance. Nevertheless, the missing fatwa from the new leader creates visible uncertainty.
Why The Fatwa Matters
Religious edicts carry enormous weight inside Iran’s political system. The Supreme Leader holds the highest authority in the country. Consequently, his religious rulings directly shape national policy.
Without a new fatwa from Mojtaba Khamenei, the world faces uncertainty. Will he adopt his father’s exact position? Will he reinterpret it differently? Or will he simply let existing policy continue unchanged?
Araqchi’s careful wording suggests Iran is not rushing this process. Furthermore, his statement signals that Tehran wants stability in its public messaging. However, the absence of a clear ruling leaves room for international speculation.
A Country Under Pressure
The US-Israeli war against Iran already shifted the regional landscape dramatically. The death of the former Supreme Leader marked a historic turning point for Iran. As a result, the country now faces both internal transition and external pressure simultaneously.
Western governments continue to monitor Iran’s nuclear facilities closely. Diplomatic tensions remain high across the region. Meanwhile, the new Supreme Leader’s silence on nuclear weapons adds further complexity to an already fragile situation.
All eyes now turn to Mojtaba Khamenei. The international community wants a clear answer on his religious and political stance. Until he speaks, Iran’s nuclear policy rests on inherited rulings and official statements alone.
Araqchi’s Wednesday statement served two clear purposes. First, it told the world that Iran is not moving toward nuclear weapons. Second, it honestly acknowledged the uncertainty that surrounds the country’s new leadership. Iran stands firm publicly. But the world is still waiting for its new Supreme Leader to confirm it.
