Jerusalem — A new report released by a prominent U.S. research organization paints a stark picture of Iran’s nuclear ambitions, raising serious concerns ahead of upcoming negotiations between the United States and Iran. The Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) asserts that Iran’s progress towards acquiring nuclear weapons has reached a precarious level, labeling the situation as “Extreme Danger Grows.”
The ISIS report, titled “The Iran Threat Geiger Counter: Extreme Danger Grows,” details how the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear program has significantly escalated since February 2024. Key factors contributing to this deterioration include:
- Enhanced Iranian nuclear weapon capabilities
- A considerably shortened timeframe for potential weapons development
- Increasingly open internal discussions within Iran that favor pursuing nuclear arms
The report attributes the heightened risk, in part, to the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East where Iran and its proxies are engaged with Israel and allied nations. This volatile environment, coupled with perceptions of Iranian preparations for nuclear weapons development, creates a dangerous confluence of factors.
“The possibility of Iran deciding to build nuclear weapons has been increased by the ongoing military conflicts in the Middle East,” the report states.
Former President Donald Trump recently emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “We have a little time, but we don’t have much time, because we’re not going to let them have a nuclear weapon. We can’t let them have a nuclear weapon.”
When questioned about the possibility of military action if Iran fails to reach an agreement on its nuclear program, Trump responded with certainty: “Absolutely. If it requires military, we’re going to have military. Israel will obviously be very much involved in that. They’ll be the leader of that. But nobody leads us. We do what we want to do.”
Trump withdrew the United States from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal, arguing it was insufficient in preventing Tehran’s pursuit of a nuclear weapon.
Adding another layer of complexity, an Iranian news outlet has claimed that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s alleged fatwa—a religious ruling—regarding nuclear weapons does not prohibit their production entirely, only their use. Despite requests from Fox News Digital, the Iranian regime has refused to provide a copy of this purported document; experts suggest the fatwa may not exist.
Beyond its nuclear program, the ISIS report highlights Iran’s broader military capabilities, noting that it “still possesses military capabilities that threaten the region.” These include:
- Extensive stockpiles of drones
- Large quantities of ballistic and cruise missiles
Furthermore, the report points to Iran’s ongoing support for Russia’s war in Ukraine through arms transfers, including drones and missiles.
The situation has been further inflamed by a call for the assassination of former President Trump published in *Kayhan*, an Iranian newspaper known for its anti-American sentiment.
A State Department spokesperson condemned this rhetoric, stating that “Threatening language from the Iranian regime or its mouthpiece against the President, or any American, is unwise.” The statement underscores concerns about Iran’s history of attempting to harm Iranian Americans within U.S. borders.
