Iran Press/America: CIA Director William Burns told NPR (National Public Radio) that there is no indication of Iran making a decision to build nuclear weapons.
In his remarks, Burns referred to recent developments in the West Asian region and claimed, without concrete evidence, that Iran's strategic position in the region has weakened significantly over the past six to seven months. He asserted that Iran’s influence has been severely diminished and described it as being strategically vulnerable.
Using this baseless claim, Burns alleged that Iran could reverse its earlier decision to suspend its military nuclear program, which it made in late 2003. He stated, "Iran could choose to restore its deterrence posture in response to this weakness."
However, he admitted, "We do not see any sign today that any such decision has been made, but we obviously watch it intently."
Burns further built his argument on the perceived weakness of Iran, suggesting that it might create an opportunity for the US to engage in serious negotiations with Iran. He emphasized that the new U.S. administration must consider this possibility.
Iran has consistently emphasized the peaceful nature of its nuclear program, a fact supported by numerous reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Saeed Khatibzadeh, the spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry, has repeatedly stated that Iran's nuclear activities are transparent, compliant with the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and under strict IAEA monitoring.
In this context, Major General Hossein Salami, the Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), addressed these claims during a gathering in Abadan on January 21. General Salami said that Iran’s enemies argue the country has lost its deterrent arms in the region, claiming it is no longer as powerful as before. He warned that these statements are being repeatedly propagated to implant them into people's minds.
He pointed out that even after the assassination of anti-terrorism figures like General Qasem Soleimani, Iran did not resort to its regional deterrent arms. Instead, Iran directly targeted the US bases from within its own borders, which it publicly claimed responsibility for. He emphasized that Iran still possesses strong capabilities, including in missile, drone, and naval technologies.
Salami concluded with a question, "Are we stronger today in controlling strategic chokepoints than we were in the past? Has our ability to influence the global economy and energy markets diminished? Absolutely not. Iran still maintains significant power and influence, and its resilience has only grown stronger over time."
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