Senior commanders of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have reportedly urged Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to revoke his long-standing fatwa banning the development and use of nuclear weapons. According to a recent report by The Telegraph, these top military officials argue that possessing nuclear weapons is imperative for Iran’s survival in the face of increasing threats from Western adversaries, particularly Israel and the United States. This internal pressure marks a potential turning point in Iran’s defense policy, which has long adhered to a strict prohibition on nuclear arms under religious doctrine.

Ayatollah Khamenei’s fatwa, originally issued in the mid-1990s and publicly reaffirmed in 2003, explicitly forbids the production, stockpiling, and use of nuclear weapons. The decree is based on Islamic principles, declaring such weapons as inherently unethical and impermissible under Sharia law. Over the years, this religious edict has been a cornerstone of Iran’s official stance on nuclear armament, often cited in diplomatic engagements to counter allegations that Iran harbors ambitions of building nuclear weapons.

However, in light of recent escalations in regional tensions, this long-held stance is facing scrutiny from within the Iranian military establishment. The IRGC, which wields considerable influence over Iran’s defense and security policies, has reportedly expressed concerns that adherence to the fatwa may leave Iran strategically vulnerable. The commanders pushing for the revocation argue that nuclear capabilities would serve as a powerful deterrent against adversaries and provide a........

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