Public opinion is mixed and heavily polarized, focusing on skepticism and distrust towards international relations, particularly regarding Iran's nuclear enrichment activities. Many express frustration over perceived double standards, highlighting Israel's nuclear capabilities while criticizing Iran. There's a sentiment of support for Iran's right to self-defense in the context of existing nuclear powers in the region, alongside cynicism about the dismantling of the JCPOA and distrust of Western motives. Despite some calls for preventive action against Iran, the overriding sentiment is skepticism about international diplomacy and defensive rights.

Iran

Israel

IAEA

They spent two decades building up proxies and influence, just for most of it to collapse in about two months.

I'd say they're reevaluating their strategy and buffing themselves up for any potential direct conflict.

AgitatedHoneydew2645

Iran has significantly increased its uranium enrichment to 60% purity, a level approaching weapons-grade, and is now producing up to 34 kg monthly, which could lead to the capability of manufacturing more than a dozen nuclear weapons if further enriched. The move has drawn international condemnation, with the US intelligence report highlighting Iran's improved infrastructure and potential intent to develop nuclear weapons, despite Tehran's denials. Diplomatic efforts to address the issue have stalled, and the escalation has heightened tensions, with Western nations viewing it as a major threat to global security.

Active_Ear_2177

This is the only thing that would protect Iran against US or Israeli attacks, but I'm not even sure both sides would respect it or allow it to happen. Trump has plenty of people around him who view Iran as a threat and they would want to switch to China after dealing with it. Don't forget Iran tried to kill Trump, hacked his campaign group emails and more. I would not put it past Trump to act and force Iran to the table. Iran proxy groups lay in ruin only ones that still stand are the Houthis. So they would have good reason to fold now. That would save the regime but destroy their hard-earned reputation.

JustAhobbyish

They are dogged, I’ll give the mullahs that. But I find it hard to believe that it’ll happen, given the massive effort of the Israeli military intelligence into infiltrating Iran. That facility will absolutely be found out and destroyed. It is an existential threat to Israel, who has decidedly neutralized every existential threat it has faced so far. They are arguably more powerful than they’ve ever been.

KosstAmojan

Weekly reminder.

Seen this about 200 times in the last 10 years.

RoIIerBaII

Just a reminder. While it might be true that no one has enriched uranium to such a degree without building nuclear weapons the nuclear reactors of US  and UK submarines also use highly enriched fuel (Wikipedia is talking about 93% purity). 

Since as part of Aukus they (UK and USA) plan to sell submarines using such reactors (and their fuel) to a non nuclear armed country (Australia) these three countries (and by association their allies) obviously do not see simply acquiring highly enriched nuclear fuel as being against the NPT. Otherwise they themselves would openly violate it. 

So while it would be best to stop Iran from getting such fuel it is difficult to find a legal justification for attacking them just because they produce it. Them producing it to my knowledge does not violate any active international treaty. The one it might have violated was the one Trump ended during his last presidency.

ICEpear8472

They have nothing to gain and everything to lose by not making nuclear weapons right now.

Mobile_Society_8458

Israel might first strike before allowing Iran nuclear capability.

MeatPiston

Looking at how it is, this is the only logical conclusion.

64-17-5

Unfortunately, I pretty much predicted this when Trump was elected (as well as the Republicans taking both the House / Senate), which would pose one of the biggest threats that their authoritarian regime has seen in a while, maybe ever. I expected a near-certainty that they would use the 2.5 months from election date to inauguration to get as far as possible in nuclear bomb production, if not outright completing some nuclear weapons...Hopefully, that isn't correct.

john2557

How significant? There's an article every month on "significant" Iranian progress. Keeping the story in the news cycle is probably the most significant achievement in itself. 

Magicalsandwichpress

If I were iran, I would just ask russia for a nuke and send them my soldiers and missiles

Mysterious-Fix2896

bleedingjim

I don’t understand the strategy. To deliver nukes, they need either air force or ballistic missiles. But the threat makes the missile and air infrastructure a target, thus it’s not enough to produce nukes, they also have to develop a massive defence system. Their current defence system was heavily damaged on the western half of the country by Israel. So what is behind pushing forward the nuclear program?

a) we in the “west” are living in a bubble, and Hamas, Hezbollah, Syrian regime have still a potential force, Houthis are still a threat to the international trade, Russia is actually winning in Ukraine, so Iran now can neglect the Western concerns and finish it’s nuclear program.

b) Iran only needs a bargaining chip. But in this case the real threat is that a regime, over which there is no domestic civil control, and which is backing terrorist groups, can hand out nuclear devices  to unpredictable morons. This makes Iran a top tier threat, in a moment where Iran’s defence capability was severely damaged by two well prepared Israeli air strikes. What is the Iranian regime expecting? Given the US election results?

c) Is this piece of news an intelligence operation to pull the strings and see the enemy’s reaction? But again, the trench lines are quite articulated by now. Are they testing China maybe?

pityutanarur

APisaride

Good for them. They’re still in the NPT and Israel isn’t. Not America’s problem.

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Bibi told us Lapid, Herzog, Gantz, etc etc would allow Iran to get nukes. Only Mr Security can stop Iran from getting nukes and topple the Hamas regime, so we were told.

Just another failure Netanyahu is signed on.

Ahad_Haam

Serious-Werewolf-549

Is there any real reason not to keep pounding their military in their least stable areas to keep them too busy holding together to do much else? If making a Druze state in Syria, why not Kurdish or Balochi in Iran?

CommitteeofMountains

If you read that article, it's talking about 60% enriched uranium. For context, weapons grade is 90%.

Shame on JPOST for making such a fear mongering click bait headline.

seecat46

The world will dramatically change if Iran builds nukes

EverySingleMinute

[deleted]

ijustlurkhere_

Its 2025 if you still cannot successfully make a nuke with resources and know how im not worried about you. 

Gooner-Astronomer749

Iran most probably has a nuke already that's why Israel not attacking

Electrical_Catch


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There is no bigger threat to the world right now than Donnie Dipshit.

oculeers

It sure would be nice if we had a deal with Iran to not make nuclear weapons.  Yup, that would have been nice.

kia75

I'm more worried about the completely unhinged ego maniac running this country and his access to nukes

deschain_19195

Much more worried than before Trump wrecked the JCPOA.

MJcorrieviewer

Sorry, I can't hear you over Donald Trump shitting on the entire planet in new and interesting ways every five minutes.

robot-rob

LessThanSimple

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Who needs Iran when US is doing a great job self destructing all by itself

Trillion_2233

At this point we should probably be welcoming it.

A lot cause the trump administration policy is to escalate this till it's nuclear war.

drackcove

The US is engaging in direct talks with Iran over its [nuclear capabilities](https://inews.co.uk/news/world/iran-nuclear-efforts-scale-up-gaza-ceasefire-3484071?srsltid=AfmBOortkI6UkYKgxSiaNQvnAxVCEI4VJ6QncSuPCZFa7sseNpA2-phF&amp;ico=in-line_link), with Donald Trump touting a “big meeting” this weekend.

[Trump](https://inews.co.uk/news/how-bad-trump-tariffs-3628453?srsltid=AfmBOoq88fX7dDHt4bQ6oR1Mv0ZuWOHiboxK8Jvz_9jUA-nOtk7e5Yvt&amp;ico=in-line_link) said that Iran “can’t have a nuclear weapon”, and that would be “trouble” if the talks do not bear fruit.

But what might be on the table during the talks – and how concerned should we be about Iran’s nuclear capabilities?

# No bomb yet – but there could be soon

Iran has said its nuclear programme “only serves peaceful purposes” and that “nuclear weapons have no place in our doctrine”.

Whether or not this is true, Iran almost certainly does not yet have nuclear weapons, according to the intelligence company Janes, so its immediate nuclear threat to other countries today is “minimal.”

However, it does have some of the capabilities needed to create a bomb, including the ballistic missiles that could theoretically be used to carry nuclear warheads, and uranium supplies.

theipaper

Kokophelli

So it begins.  The great shitshow of our time.

Deguilded

Man it must be terrifying working in Irans nuclear sector knowing that with each passing day the closer you get to completing your job of making a bomb you’re more and more likely to be killed by an Israeli air strike.

justfortherofls

I guess one way to settle the conflict over holy land is to make it radioactive for a few thousand years.  WTF.

SookieRicky

Just waiting for President Tariff to bestow his great wisdom on all of us for this one.

Ok_Suggestion_5120

Don't worry everyone! Trump will get this taken care of in 24 hours!

jet_heller

It's fine. Trump will abolish the Dept. of Energy and then we won't have a $2B program that tracks down bomb-making materials around the world. No big deal.

/s

severalgirlzgalore

Sure, why not.  On top of all the other rotten shit in the world, why fucking not?

ThatGirlWren

Reminder that this is Trump's fault for pulling out of the Iran deal in his first term, which was our last chance to contain this 

ThePaulBuffano

Is this a good time to pick up smoking again?

dondeestasbueno

You’d have to be extremely stupid not to build a nuclear bomb if you have any kind of international heat on you. Iran, Ukraine, Poland, South Korea, Taiwan… you’d all be stupid to rawdog your ongoing or upcoming military conflicts.

corpus4us

I'm not sure, is it thoughts and prayers, or tariffs?

polychrom

Iran purchased nuclear weapons from Kazakhstan in the 1990s. Karl Lee, a Chinese national, brokered the arms deal. He also brokers deals between Iran and China that include sanctioned materials like graphite produced for ballistic missiles that Iran doesn't make domestically. 

Between Irans cooperation with China and North Korea, I wouldn't be surprised if they already have dozens of nuclear warheads.


**Edit Anyone who's interested in this topic, here's a cool documentary produced by a German cable company about Karl Lee and how the CCP enables him to help Iran's nuclear program.** 

[It's a pretty good one I've watched a few times. ](https://youtu.be/gqDCrdZVZnk?feature=shared)

doctor_trades

jonesyman23

This will be the spicy meatball that trump will fumble (not care about) ?

daxxarg

Good thing we ripped up that Nuclear Agreement. That worked out so well. Republicans really are just the dumbest people in the room, as always.

Oime

oh there it is 1st seed for the war in 2025

NyriasNeo

Been hearing about them 'nearly' had enought for most of my life.

-businessskeleton-

Conservatives about to explain to me why we need to invade Iran and foreign wars are necessary to US Foreign Policy. Btw trump and the conservatives are still supporting Ukraine. You should feel duped.

The_Confirminator

Idk man, Gaddafi gave his nukes up and they toppled him anyways. Iran signed the nuclear deal and Trump broke it off.

Frankly, if there's even a 1% chance of America invading me, I'm getting a bomb for sure.

WiseguyD

Electrical_Quality_6

Have we tried placing tariffs on the uranium?

MrsChanandalerBong

Uranium enriched to " near bomb grade" is just as dangerous as a nuke. Missiles with a conventional weapon packed with 50 kg  of enriched uranium is enough to take out a large city with radioactive debris. Leaving a large area uninhabitable for a very long time .

Tinadazed

Time for a preemptive handling of the situation.

AggressivePack5307

Come on, israel, do what needs to be done. Its not pretty but somebody gotta do the dirty work.

111anza

FuckBagMcGee

Initial_E

Won't they need lots? They can't deliver them by air. They would need to be smuggled in. 

I don't think this satisfies the A in M.A.D. D is in play, but Assured? No way Iran can be sure they can blow up Tel Aviv.

Jarocket

Prestigious-Log-7210

Grossi? Tom Grossi? The Packers fan? When did he get sources in Iran?

kingjoey52a

I've heard this before... another ira* country

fleakill

if only there was some type of deal in place that dissuaded Iran from enriching uranium to weapons grade 

man that would’ve been sweet

wrigh2uk

SickOfMakingThese

Good. Every countries have the right to self defense. And since the rule based world order has been always been unilaterally violated by western nations, non western aligned countries have the right to guarantee the safety of their own people.

Iraq no nukes, gave up chemical weapons, fucked

Ukraine, gave up nukes, fucked

Libya, gave up weapons to the west, fucked


North korea kept nukes, not invaded.

China kept nukes, not invaded.


Edited fucked up formatting

bloodmonarch

Good.  Maybe this will bring more security balance to the Middle East.  Maybe one day, Iran and Israel can agree to mutual disarmament.

According to an essay that appeared in the magazine The Nation on Mar. 29, 2024, the U.S.'s own laws prohibit U.S. aid to Israel due to Israel's practice of nuclear proliferation.  The Iranians have a good claim that the U.S. is being hypocritical in its policy toward Iran.

PlinyToTrajan

Here is the relevant part of the article:


&gt; The IAEA has concluded that “these three locations, and other possible related locations, were part of an undeclared structured nuclear programme carried out by Iran until the early 2000s and that some activities used undeclared nuclear material”, the report said.

That's it. IAEA found evidence that three sites were used in secret a quarter century ago. This isn't news. 

Iran has, and HAS had for over a decade, the capacity to create several nuclear weapons. IAEA 's current estimates say that Iran could produce enough 90% enriched uranium to create 5 bombs within one week and eight bombs in under two weeks. 

https://www.iranwatch.org/our-publications/articles-reports/irans-nuclear-timetable-weapon-potential

Whether Iran chooses to produce a bomb or not is and has always been a political decision, not a technological limitation. The Iranian government has decided that they are in a better position on the international stage if they threaten to build a nuclear weapon than if they actually construct one. 

Here are just a few reasons why Iran might not want to build a functional nuke:

They're dangerous! If a rouge element gains control of a compound full of centrifuges or 60% enriched Uranium they might produce a dirty bomb, but they won't level a city. Losing control of a functional nuclear weapon could level Tehran. 

It keeps the Israelis at bay. Israel has wanted to bomb Iran's nuclear facilities for years now, but doesn't want to be seen as provoking a war. Once Iran actually makes a bomb and breaks the non-proliferation treaties, Israel can use that as justification. 

It creates room for negotiation. Iran wants sanctions lifted, and as long as they haven't produced a bomb there is much more granularity in negotiations. As soon as they produce and test a functional nuke any non-proliferation related negotiations begin and end with "give up your nukes". 

They don't currently have a delivery device. A nuclear weapon is only as good as your capacity to deliver it to a target. The missile exchanges between Israel and Iran last year demonstrated that Iran is not capable of consistently delivering a warhead to Israeli cities. Part of Iran's deal for the sale of drones to Russia is that they get Russia's aid in missile technology. 

Nothing is gained by having the weapons that isn't already gained by threatening to make them! Iran has enough Uranium to make bombs. They could produce and test a bomb in under a month. Political negotiations and wars happen over much longer time frames than that. Anyone considering invading Iran must assume that nukes will be on the table before the invasion concludes. Any time Iran makes a threat, the implication "we could build a nuke if we wanted to" is part of the undercurrent of that message. Why take on all of the international backlash from building a nuke when the same results are achieved by simply coming close, but without the same consequences?

brainpower4

Good, my country had gone through so much harassment and intimidation by US and it's allies throughout the later half of 20th century over the nukes issue

MeNameSRB

Iran has significantly increased its stockpile of enriched uranium to levels near weapons-grade, according to a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This development has sparked international apprehension, with Israel demanding immediate action.

Iran Nuclear Enrichment and IAEA Report

Why This Matters

Public Sentiment Summary

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What the people want