Review of Iranian Press: Calls for Tehran to Enhance Regional Influence through Nuclear Development

Former political prisoner advocates militarised nuclear programme

Saeed Laylaz, a prominent reformist analyst and former political prisoner, has made waves with his recent statements advocating for Iran to pursue a militarised nuclear programme. In an interview with the Shargh daily, Laylaz boldly claimed that Iran’s nuclear programme has always been aimed at acquiring nuclear weapons, despite the country’s official stance that it is for peaceful purposes.

Laylaz pointed out that Iran’s nuclear programme dates back to 1975, when it was launched under the US’s Atoms for Peace initiative. He firmly stated, “Since its inception, Iran’s nuclear program has pursued no other objective but to obtain the atomic bomb.”

Recent military tensions between Iran and Israel have fueled speculation that Iran may be shifting its nuclear programme towards a more militarised direction. However, Laylaz dismissed this as a new development, asserting that the goal of obtaining nuclear weapons has always been at the core of Iran’s nuclear strategy.

“The recent discussions about conducting the first atomic bomb test do not represent a change in strategy,” Laylaz explained. “While this strategy hasn’t been openly acknowledged before, current geopolitical conditions necessitate some individuals to publicly discuss testing Iran’s first atomic bomb.”

As a vocal critic of conservatives in Iran, Laylaz’s advocacy for a militarised nuclear programme is a bold and controversial stance. He was previously arrested and held in solitary confinement for over 100 days during the 2009 Green Movement, making his current position even more significant.

“We must conduct the first nuclear bomb test. Iran finds itself geopolitically isolated, and the circumstances in the Middle East demand that we take steps towards nuclearisation,” Laylaz concluded.

The implications of Laylaz’s statements are significant, as they challenge the official narrative of Iran’s nuclear programme and raise questions about the country’s future nuclear ambitions. As Iran continues to navigate complex geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East, Laylaz’s advocacy for a militarised nuclear programme adds a new layer of complexity to the ongoing discussions surrounding Iran’s nuclear capabilities.