Iraqi Academic Dr. Hamid Alkifaey: The Amount Of Uranium Enriched By Iran Clearly Indicates It Intends To Produce Nuclear Weapons; International Law Is Based On Pacts And Agreements, Not Fatwas

Iraqi academic Dr. Hamid Alkifaey said in a June 12, 2023 show on Al-Hiwar TV (UK) that the amount of uranium enriched by Iran clearly indicates that Iran intends to produce nuclear weapons, and that that the Gulf states, Iraq, Azerbaijan, and Turkey are rightfully concerned about Iran's armament. When asked about Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's recent statement claiming that Iran opposes the production and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, Alkifaey said that Iran does not abide by the laws of Islam, as shown by its meddling in the affairs of other countries and killing protesters, and therefore it should not be trusted to adhere to a fatwa prohibiting nuclear weapons.

Dr. Hamid Alkifaey: "Nuclear weapons require [uranium] enriched to 90%. The IAEA says that Iran has about 115 kg of uranium enriched to 60%.

"Iran does not have civilian plants that require the use of such large quantities of uranium. So why is Iran producing all these quantities? It is clear that Iran intends to produce nuclear weapons.

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"The gulf countries rightly fear an Iranian nuclear weapon. Iran meddles in the affairs of all the gulf countries – in the military, political, and religious aspects. Therefore, the Gulf countries, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Turkey- indeed, all of the countries of the region- are concerned about Iranian armament, and not just the nuclear armament, but also the ballistic missiles. Iran is a country whose constitution says that the Iranian armed forces carry a divine burden, and that this allows them to intervene [in the affairs of others]. We don't even know what this [burden] is…"

Interviewer: "But the Supreme Leader said a couple days ago that Iran's ideology opposes the production and proliferation of WMDs, whether nuclear or other..."

Alkifaey: "They always say this…"

Interviewer: "This was also Khomeini's position, by the way."

Alkifaey: "International law does not abide by the fatwas. It is based on laws, agreements, and pacts. Iran says that it has a fatwa prohibiting nuclear weapons. Does Iran even operate in accordance with Islam? Is meddling in the affairs of other countries in keeping with the principles of Islam? Is the killing of protesters in keeping with the principles of Islam? Nobody believes these claims."