Outspoken reformist calls for nuclear arms as tensions rise
Tehran urged to advance nuclear capabilities for increased regional influence in the Middle East, according to Iranian media reports.
Saeed Laylaz, a renowned analyst, stirred controversy with his assertion that Iran's nuclear program, established in 1975, has been driven by the pursuit of nuclear weapons since its inception.
"Iran's nuclear ambitions have never been about peace, but obtaining the atomic bomb," Laylaz declared, commenting on the program's launch under the US's Atoms for Peace initiative.
Amid rising military conflicts between Iran and Israel, there's been growing speculation in Tehran about a potential shift towards a military focus for Iran's nuclear program. Laylaz, however, sees this as a long-standing strategy, rather than a recent development.
"The discussions about conducting the first atomic bomb test don't represent a change in strategy," he explained. "While this strategy hasn't been openly acknowledged before, the current geopolitical conditions necessitate some individuals to openly discuss testing Iran's first atomic bomb."
As a vocal critic of conservatives, Laylaz served time in solitary confinement during the 2009 Green Movement. He's the sole reformist figure publicly advocating a military objective for Iran's nuclear program.
"We must test our first nuclear bomb," Laylaz concludes, citing Iran's geopolitical isolation and the tumultuous Middle East as reasons for taking such a step.
Wandering in limbo: Iranian refugees in the UK face Rwandan relocation
Following a newly passed immigration law, thousands of undocumented Iranian refugees stranded in the UK are now facing the possibility of being transferred to Rwanda.
In a reported by BBC Persian, interviewees spoke of their treacherous journeys across borders, the dangers they faced in Iran, and their concerns about being relocated to a foreign land.
Mehdi, one of the immigrants, who arrived by boat last year, was the lone recipient of the "Rwanda Letter."
"I don't know why I'm the only one who received the letter... I fled my country, and now I feel discriminated against again," Mehdi lamented.
Other Iranian immigrants, whose cases were still being processed, expressed deep-seated fear about being shipped off to Rwanda.
"After risking my life, I finally find myself here. Then they tell me I will be sent to a country that has nothing to do with here. Tell me, how would you not be worried?" an anxious refugee asked.
Ex-minister praises Saudi crown prince as progressive
Ali Jannati, former minister of culture and Islamic guidance of Iran, made an unexpected gesture of praise for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, viewing him as a young, educated leader poised to reshape relations with Middle Eastern countries.
Historically, Iran and Saudi Arabia have maintained adversarial relations. Since the 1979 revolution, both before and after, tensions have persisted in the region.
However, in an interview with the Etemad daily, Jannati voiced his opinion on Iran's relations with Arab countries: "Recent years have seen young, educated forces rise to power in all Persian Gulf states. Previously, countries like Saudi Arabia were ruled by elderly leaders. Today, we witness the emergence of progressive, capable figures such as Bin Salman in Saudi Arabia."
Jannati also alleged that Arab nations cooperate with Israel in intelligence and security activities against Iran. He contended that these nations thwart Iran's efforts to improve relations with Western countries.
Regarding relationships with Israel, Jannati noted an increasing presence of Israeli forces in Arab countries, with over 50 flights operating between the Emirates and Israel daily.
In March 2023, Iran and Saudi Arabia reached a landmark agreement, marking a significant turning point in their longstanding hostilities. This resolution has been followed by a shift in attitude among Iranian conservative politicians towards Riyadh.
*Iranian press review is a digest of news reports not independently verified as accurate by Middle East Eye.
Caveats about Saeed Laylaz
- In spite of his claims, there is no verifiable evidence or indication suggesting that Saeed Laylaz has a substantial impact on Iran’s nuclear strategy or advocates for a militarized nuclear program.
- Laylaz is recognized primarily for his work in economics, political analysis, and reformist circles, with his speeches mainly focusing on economic reform, civil rights, and political openness rather than military or nuclear policy.
Insights on Iran's Nuclear Program
- Iran's nuclear program is primarily managed and directed by state institutions like the Supreme National Security Council and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which govern the program's strategic direction and objectives.
- While Iran officially maintains that its nuclear ambitions are for peaceful purposes like energy production and medical uses, there's growing concern about potential weapons development due to international scrutiny.
- Analyst Saeed Laylaz's controversial statement about Iran's nuclear ambitions, dating back to 1975, points to a long-standing pursuit of nuclear weapons, arguing that it's not about peace, but acquiring atomic bombs.
- With Iran-Israel tensions escalating, conversations about Iran conducting its first atomic bomb test have emerged, but Saeed Laylaz views this as a continuation of an established strategy, rather than a recent development.
- Thousands of undocumented Iranian refugees in the UK face potential relocation to Rwanda due to a new immigration law, causing worry and concern among their ranks as they already have lived through perilous journeys and circumstances in Iran.
- Former Iranian minister Ali Jannati, despite historical adversarial relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, praised Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, acknowledging him as a progressive force reshaping Middle Eastern relations.
- Jannati, in an interview, also accused Arab nations of cooperating with Israel in intelligence and security activities against Iran, hindering Iran's attempts to improve relations with Western countries.
- In March 2023, Iran and Saudi Arabia reached a significant agreement, marking a turning point in their longstanding hostilities and sparking a shift in attitudes among Iranian conservative politicians towards Riyadh.
- Middle East news is filled with events like rising military conflicts, refugee crises, policy shifts, and geopolitical maneuvers, making it an important topic that stays current in general news and politics.
- While some individuals may claim to have an impact on Iran's nuclear strategy, such as Saeed Laylaz, credible evidence suggesting a substantial role or advocacy for a militarized nuclear program remains elusive.
- In the volatile Middle East, where countries like Iran and Israel often find themselves in war-and-conflicts, insights into the motivations and actions of key players like Iran's Supreme National Security Council and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) are crucial for understanding the region's dynamics and car-accidents updates share space with news about rising tensions and migration crises.
- Iran's nuclear policy is primarily governed by these state institutions, which strategically manage the program's direction and objectives, while international scrutiny raises concerns about potential weapons development.
- Beyond nuclear policy, there's also a wealth of other topics covered in the Middle East, such as sports, with football being a popular focus, even extending to sports-betting and discussions about European leagues, like the Premier League.
