The truth about Iran’s nuclear programme – podcast

The recent conflict between Israel and Iran, which lasted for 12 days, was ignited by Israel's claims that Iran was on the brink of developing a nuclear bomb. However, US intelligence reports released earlier in the year presented a contrasting narrative, suggesting that Iran's nuclear advancements were not as imminent as Israel had suggested. As the dust settles on the war, significant confusion lingers regarding the actual impact on Iran's nuclear program. Questions arise about whether the military actions taken effectively dismantled or delayed Iran's nuclear ambitions, and what the true state of the program is following the conflict.

In a discussion featuring The Guardian's diplomatic editor Patrick Wintour and historian Rouzbeh Parsi, insights were provided into the complexities surrounding Iran's nuclear intentions. Parsi highlighted that the ambiguity surrounding the program is not purely a result of external pressures but rather a calculated strategy by Iran itself. This approach, however, carries substantial risks and may have led to severe consequences for the Iranian regime. The conversation raises critical questions about the future trajectory of Iran's nuclear program, contemplating whether the regime might pivot away from its ambitions or, conversely, accelerate its efforts to develop a nuclear weapon in response to perceived threats.