Iranian Hardliners Urge Khamenei to Reconsider Nuclear Weapons Ban

Seventy-one Iranian lawmakers have called for a review of the country’s defense doctrine, urging officials to consider developing nuclear weapons as a deterrent. Their letter was sent to the Supreme National Security Council and the heads of Iran’s three branches of government. The lawmakers argued that producing and maintaining weapons for deterrence differs from using them, despite a religious edict by then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei prohibiting nuclear arms. The appeal was led by Hassan-Ali Akhlaghi Amiri. Iran has said its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes