Ted Postol

DW—Postol shifts focus to Iran’s nuclear program, emphasizing the rationality and levelheadedness of Iranian leadership regarding nuclear weapons.
Iran has not built a nuclear weapon nor taken a final step toward weaponization, understanding the geopolitical implications of provoking neighboring states like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, and possibly UAE, all of which might rapidly seek nuclear arms in response.
Iran’s nuclear enrichment capability is maintained as a security guarantee against existential threatsfrom Israel and the U.S., both of which have expressed genocidal intentions toward Iran in rhetoric.
Iran will not abandon uranium enrichment as it serves as a deterrent preventing unilateral attacks and as a strategic leverage point in diplomacy.
Historical U.S. interference, including the 1953 coup and backing of repressive regimes, has contributed to Iranian distrust and hardened stances.