Ali Larijani, Senior Advisor To Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei: If America Or Israel Make The Mistake Of Bombing Iran, It Will Force Us To Go In The Direction Of Building Nuclear Weapons
Ali Larijani, a senior advisor to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and a member of the Expediency Council, stated in an interview with IRINN TV (Iran) aired on March 31, 2025, that an American attack on Iran is unlikely, as the U.S. does not stand to gain from such an action and has learned from its experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan. Larijani emphasized that Iran is not seeking nuclear weapons; however, he warned that if the U.S. makes a 'mistake on the Iranian nuclear issue,' it will force Iran to pursue nuclear weapons as a means of self-defense. "Iran will have no choice," he said, adding that the U.S. is pushing Iran in this direction. Larijani also noted that if America or Israel bomb Iran, it would leave Iran with no option but to reconsider its stance on nuclear weapons.
Ali Larijani: "The reasons that the Leader said that he considered [a U.S. attack] to be unlikely is spot on. Obviously, since our military commanders are very experienced – they have all gone through the [Iran-Iraq] war, and have regional experience – they prepare for unlikely scenarios as well. It is not the case that because a scenario is unlikely, we are not prepared for it. We are fully prepared. But why do we consider this scenario to be unlikely? Because, first of all, what do the Americans stand to gain from this? The Americans spent almost $2 trillion in Afghanistan, in order to get rid of the Taliban. Are the Taliban gone? They are the rulers now. They spent $7-8 trillion [in Iraq] – and they themselves admit that it was a mistake – but had to leave in that shameful way. What do they stand to gain? Iran is much stronger than these two [countries]. Unless the Israelis push them or Mr. Trump makes a mistake, and decides to gamble with his soldiers' heads... A military confrontation with Iran will not come without consequences.
[...]
"I think America is making a strategic mistake. With regard to the nuclear issue – we have said that there is a fatwa [by Khamenei], and we are operating under the IAEA inspection, and are not pursing [nuclear] weapons. But if you make a mistake on the Iranian nuclear issue, you will force Iran to go in that direction, because Iran will have to defend itself.
"You are doing this with your own hands. Iran does not want to do it, but if you exert pressure, it would cause a secondary justification. Iran will have no choice. The public will exert pressure to do it for the sake of the country's security. This will not be in the [Americans'] favor. Even now we are saying that we are not pursing nuclear weapons, and that the IAEA inspection can continue, even forever. We have no problem. We don't want to exaggerate. However, if at any point, you turn to bombing [Iran] – either you or Israel – you will force Iran to make a different decision."
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