February 9, 2021
Special Dispatch No. 9174
Iranian Minister Of Intelligence Mahmoud Alavi: Iran Has No Intention To Pursue Nuclear Weapons, But If You Corner A Cat, Its Behavior Might Change
February 9, 2021
Iranian Minister of Intelligence Mahmoud Alavi spoke about Iran's nuclear industry and the circumstances that would direct it towards producing nuclear weapons. He made his remarks in an interview with Channel 2, (Iran) that aired on February 8, 2021. He said that the JCPOA had not terminated the Iranian nuclear industry, that it has increased in quality, and now "operates in full force." He stated that the Iranian nuclear program is a peaceful one, and according to Supreme Leader Khamenei's anti-nuclear weapons fatwa, it is not allowed to produce nuclear weapons (for more about Khamenei's alleged anti-nuclear fatwa, see MEMRI Inquiry and analysis series Nos. 1478, 1458, 825, 1022 and 1151 and Special Dispatches No. 5406 and 5461). However, Alavi said, like a cornered cat, Iran might "change its behavior" if pushed. He emphasized that if Iran is forced to produce nuclear weapons, this would not be Iran's fault but the fault of those who pushed it in that direction.