A senior congressional intelligence committee chairman fears that Iran could declare itself a nuclear weapons state “by the end of the year.”
Republican Representative Mike Turner, who heads the House Intelligence Committee, raised the possibility on Sunday in an interview. He went on to blame President Joe Biden for fueling advancements in Iran's nuclear capability, telling CBS News’ Face the Nation that the administration's policies hadn't implemented “any red lines.”
The Iranian Nuclear Deal and its Collapse
In 2015, Iran signed a nuclear deal with several nations, including the U.S., and agreed to restrict its nuclear program in return for relief from previously imposed sanctions. But President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the deal in 2018, saying it hadn't been effective, and Iran resumed work on its nuclear program the following year. Both Tehran and Biden have said they want to return to the deal, but negotiations have floundered.
Trump's Remarks and Turner's Defense
During Turner’s interview with host Margaret Brennan, he also defended recent claims made by Trump at an event last week. The former president alarmed some of his critics when he told the crowd that he planned to be “friendly” with Iran if he wins the election.
“I'm not looking to be bad to Iran. We're going to be friendly, I hope, with Iran,” Trump said. “Maybe, but maybe not.... But they can't have a nuclear weapon...and we were all set to make sure they don't have a nuclear weapon, 'cause once they do it's a whole different world.”
Asked by Brennan what he thought of Trump's “mixed messaging,” Turner denied that was the case, adding that Trump had been tough on Iran during his first term in office.
Brennan pointed out Iran had “restarted” its nuclear program under Trump, but Turner insisted the fault lay with the Biden administration.
“What we see now with this administration, they [Iran] might declare themselves a nuclear weapons state by the end of this year.... News reports have been out stating that there is a possibility,” Turner said. He added that this was due to “the advances that have been made under the Biden administration's policy.”
Iran's Nuclear Program and Western Concerns
On Face the Nation, Turner also said recent reports suggesting that Iran was involved in hacking, misinformation and meddling in the U.S. election, as well as plotting to assassinate Trump, shows that Iran had been emboldened because Biden was “not holding Iran accountable.”
For its part, Iran has denied plotting to assassinate Trump, saying that “these accusations are unsubstantiated and malicious.” The nation has also denied any hacking against U.S. political candidates.
Nevertheless, the West has become increasingly concerned about Iran's largely unmonitored nuclear program, particularly with the destabilization in the Middle East from the Israel-Hamas war as another exacerbating factor.
In July, it emerged that Iran has been trying to source more uranium from West Africa, with experts fearing its growing enriched stockpile may mean that a weapons program is underway.
Rising Tensions in the Middle East
As tensions have ratcheted up between Israel and Iran with a tit-for-tat conflict involving conventional weapons such as cruise missiles, there are fears that an all-out war could break out in the region.
Israel has long refused to say whether it has nuclear weapons, but the International Institute for Strategic Studies estimates the country has nuclear-capable missiles.
While Iran does not have nuclear weapons, officials say, the state has several nuclear facilities that may be in use to develop them. Tehran claims its nuclear program is for civilian use, but experts say its enriched uranium is far purer than what is required for commercial use, putting it close to weapons-grade quality.
The Stakes of Iran's Potential Nuclear Weaponization
Turner’s warning about Iran’s potential nuclear weapons status comes amid a backdrop of escalating tensions in the Middle East, driven by the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and a deepening sense of uncertainty surrounding the U.S. presidential election. Experts say that Iran’s declaration of a nuclear weapons program could have far-reaching consequences for regional security and international relations, potentially triggering an arms race in the Middle East and making a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict even more difficult.
The implications of such a declaration are significant and potentially destabilizing. The international community will be watching closely as Iran's nuclear program continues to progress, with the potential for a major shift in the regional power balance and the possibility of a new arms race looming.
The Road Ahead: Uncertainties and Possibilities
The situation remains highly volatile, and it is difficult to predict with certainty how events will unfold. However, the prospect of Iran declaring itself a nuclear weapons state by the end of the year highlights the urgent need for diplomacy and restraint from all parties involved. The world is watching closely as the dynamics in the Middle East continue to evolve.
