Khamenei: West Wouldn’t Be Able to Block Iran from Nuclear Weapon If We Wanted One

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Sunday, June 11, that the world could not stop his country from obtaining nuclear weapons if it chose to pursue such a goal, but that Tehran doesn’t want them for religious reasons.

He also urged cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog while warning against succumbing to “bullying” based on “unfounded claims.”

Khamenei made the remarks as he met with scientists, technicians, and officials of Iran’s nuclear industry. “Talks about Tehran’s nuclear weapons are a lie and they [the West] know it,” he said, and reiterated that the stance was in keeping with “our Islamic principles.”

“Otherwise they would not have been able to stop it,” he continued, “just as they have not been able to stop our nuclear progress until now.”

“The nuclear industry is important both in terms of the progress and capabilities of the country in the technical, economic, and health fields — which gives prestige to the country and makes life better for the people — and in terms of its global and international political weight,” Khamenei said according to Iranian media. (TOI / VFI News)

“God, we ask that You protect the residents of the Middle East and that You prevent the development of any nuclear weapons in our region. We trust that Israel together with our allies is capable of rising against any opponent and man-made weapon.”