Washington to Iran: We will not allow it to possess a nuclear weapon by any means necessary
Decisive statements from Paris
In a statement reflecting the unwavering US position, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright emphasized on Wednesday in Paris that the United States would prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon "one way or another." This assertion came amidst sensitive diplomatic discussions between the two sides, as international powers seek a solution to end the escalating crisis surrounding Iran's nuclear program.
On the sidelines of the International Atomic Energy Agency meetings, Wright stated that the Iranians are “clear about what they will do with nuclear weapons. This is completely unacceptable.” The US Secretary of State added firmly, “One way or another, we will stop Iran’s path to a nuclear weapon,” leaving the door open to all options, including the military option that Washington has repeatedly threatened.
Historical context: From the nuclear agreement to the escalation
The roots of the current tension lie in decades of international skepticism about the nature of Iran’s nuclear program, which Tehran insists is for peaceful purposes only. Diplomatic efforts culminated in 2015 with the signing of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), or nuclear agreement, between Iran and the P5+1 group (the United States, Britain, France, Russia, China, and Germany). Under this agreement, Iran agreed to strict limits on its nuclear activities in exchange for the lifting of international economic sanctions.
However, this agreement suffered a major setback in 2018 when then-US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew his country from the deal and reimposed harsh sanctions as part of a “maximum pressure” campaign. In response, Iran began gradually reducing its compliance with the agreement, increasing its uranium enrichment levels and expanding its stockpile. This significantly shortened the time needed to produce enough fissile material for a nuclear bomb, raising concerns among the International Atomic Energy Agency and the international community.
The importance of the event and its expected impact
The danger of Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon lies in its potential to fundamentally alter the balance of power in the Middle East. Analysts believe such a development could prompt other regional powers, such as Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt, to pursue their own nuclear capabilities, potentially igniting a dangerous nuclear arms race in one of the world's most volatile regions.
Internationally, Iran’s nuclear program poses a direct challenge to the global nuclear non-proliferation regime based on the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). Israel, a key US ally in the region, considers a nuclear Iran an existential threat and has not ruled out a preemptive military strike to destroy Iranian nuclear facilities. Recent US statements confirm that Washington will not stand idly by and is prepared to use all available means to ensure that Iran does not become a nuclear power, thus keeping the region on the brink of a potential confrontation.
