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Thirty-nine lawmakers in the Islamic Republic's parliament have called on the Supreme National Security Council to review Iran's “defense doctrine” as the risk of escalation with Israel continues to grow.
Hassanali Akhlaghi Amiri, a Mashhad MP, told semi official ISNA news that he and 38 other members had made the push, part of a growing debate in Tehran regarding Iran’s military strategy, particularly its stance on nuclear weapons.
The rising tensions have seen parliament members in Iran advocating for stronger measures, with some in Israel saying that attacking Iran's nuclear facilities is the only way to secure the Jewish state from Iran.
This year, Iran has escalated its actions by launching two direct aerial bombardments on Israel, moving beyond its usual reliance on proxies for close-range attacks.
Based on Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's disputed nuclear fatwa, Iran says it has never pursued nuclear weapons, as he has publicly prohibited all weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear bombs. However, many question the legitimacy of this fatwa, particularly in light of Iran's rapid nuclear advancements, which has seen it breach global enrichment regulations.
The UN's nuclear chief said that Iran is "weeks not months" away from a nuclear weapon earlier this year.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei during his visit to the IRGC Aerospace Force achievements exhibition in Tehran, November 19, 2023Amiri acknowledged that the fatwa remains intact but said: "In the context of jurisprudence, time and place can influence the modification of rulings, and secondary rulings can replace primary ones."
However, contrary to widespread perception, a fatwa itself is not a legal document – but, an advisory opinion on Islamic law offered by a high-ranking cleric. It is not set in stone and can be changed at any time.
His remarks come as the hardline Javan newspaper, closely aligned with Iran's ultra-conservative factions, has recently called for a shift in Iran’s nuclear doctrine. Following Iranian missile attacks on Israel earlier this month, the outlet argued for an immediate "transformation" in the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program. Ali Ghannadi, writing for Javan, said that Iran now has the "capacity, context, and opportunity" to change its nuclear strategy, moving beyond the peaceful energy narrative.
Javan also questioned whether Israel, if facing an existential threat, might issue a nuclear ultimatum against Iran. "Is the possibility of Israel issuing a clear or secret nuclear ultimatum out of the question?" the article asked, hinting at the possibility of nuclear escalation between the two adversaries.
The newspaper suggested that Israel’s technological and military advantage leaves Iran vulnerable, implying that mutual nuclear deterrence could be a solution.
Tehran’s stockpile of uranium, currently enriched to 60%, could potentially be refined to weapons-grade 90% in as little as two weeks. The shift in doctrine would likely be a signal of Iran's willingness to develop nuclear weapons if Israeli military actions threaten its core interests.
Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett recently urged Israel to seize the opportunity to cripple Iran’s nuclear program after last week's attack in which 181 ballistic missiles were sent by Iran to the Jewish state.
"Israel has now its greatest opportunity in 50 years, to change the face of the Middle East," Bennett posted on X, calling for the destruction of Iran's nuclear facilities and its "terrorist" infrastructure following the Iranian missile strikes.
At the same time, Iran’s ultra-hardliners have been increasingly vocal on social media, advocating for retaliatory actions against Israel and pushing for the development of a nuclear bomb.
Supporters of former nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili have been particularly critical of Iran's current leadership, accusing President Masoud Pezeshkian of failing to adequately respond to Israeli airstrikes in Gaza and Lebanon, a result of the October 7 Hamas-backed attacks on Israel. They have also called for measures ranging from closing the Strait of Hormuz to building a nuclear arsenal.
