US Response to Mahmoud Alavi’s Statements on Nuclear Weapons Production
Ned Price, spokesperson for the US State Department, described the statements made by Iran’s Minister of Intelligence as concerning. Price emphasized that America will use all its capabilities to prevent the expansion of Iran’s missile activities.
Unprecedented statements by Mahmoud Alavi, Iran’s Minister of Intelligence, regarding the possibility of equipping Iran with nuclear weapons, was one of the main topics of Ned Price’s, the US State Department spokesperson’s, press conference.
On Tuesday, February 9th (21st of Bahman), Ned Price, spokesperson for the US State Department, held a press conference. Mohammad Al-Ahmad, Al Jazeera correspondent, asked about Mahmoud Alavi’s statements during this press conference.
The Minister of Intelligence of the Islamic Republic had stated in an interview with the second channel of IRIB: “The Supreme Leader has clearly stated in his fatwa that the production of nuclear weapons is contrary to Islamic law and the Islamic Republic will not pursue it and considers it forbidden. However, if a cat is cornered, it may behave in ways that a free cat would not behave.”
Ned Price, in response to the Al Jazeera correspondent’s question, said: “We still don’t clearly know whether this is Mahmoud Alavi’s personal opinion or not. Of course, we take these statements seriously. These statements are concerning.”
The US State Department spokesperson emphasized that “under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), Iran will never, never, ever be allowed to equip itself with nuclear weapons.”
Price addressed another journalist’s question regarding a UN report about Iran’s cooperation with North Korea in the field of intercontinental ballistic missile production, saying that commenting on a report that has not yet been published is not appropriate.
The US State Department spokesperson nonetheless emphasized that this country, in cooperation with its allies, will prevent the transfer of components and technology necessary for the production of ballistic missiles.
Price stressed that America, in cooperation with its allies, will use all its capabilities to prevent the expansion of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s missile program.
Source: DW
