World

Does Iran have nukes?

The current state of a cease-fire, where ‘tit for tat’ reprisals are a continual threat to the security of Iran, is draining, with Iran continually living under the threat of attack.

Updated 1 month ago · Published on 04 Jun 2026 10:04AM

Does Iran have nukes?
Western intelligence has generally believed that Iran doesn’t possess nuclear weapons. - Image from https://dailytimes.com.pk/, June 4, 2026

By Murray Hunter

THE ongoing war between Iran, Israel and the United States is wearing patience thin in Tehran.

The current state of a cease-fire, where ‘tit for tat’ reprisals are a continual threat to the security of Iran, is draining, with Iran continually living under the threat of attack.

Information has surfaced from an alleged telephone conversation between the president of Iran, Masoud Pezeshklan and the prime minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, around May 28 that Iran was proposing a demonstration in the Iranian desert of the country’s nuclear capability with a non-combative explosive demonstration.

There are different versions as to how the United States became aware.

Some are saying that US intelligence intercepted the call, while others are saying that Secretary of State Marco Rubio was informed by the Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, on May 29.

This information contradicts the Iranian policy of no nuclear weapons, originating from a Fatwa proclaimed by the former supreme leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenai many years ago.

There is no formal indication that this Fatwa, made in the mid-1990s, has been changed by the new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei. However, the conditions since the mid-1990s have drastically changed, where Iran is now under existential threat by Israel and the United States.

Contemporary history has shown that nations like North Korea have been treated very differently from countries like Libya and Iraq that didn’t have nuclear weapons by the United States.

Consequently, it may be logical thinking that Iran possessing nuclear weapons would result in a different approach by attackers.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been constantly saying that Iran is on the verge of possessing nuclear weapons.

However, Western intelligence has generally believed that Iran doesn’t possess nuclear weapons.

Iran is a technologically sophisticated country, as the current war has demonstrated.

It is very conceivable that, although a Fatwa forbade Iran from possessing nuclear weapons, the armed forces had processed enough uranium for 9 or 10 warheads, while the actual bombs without the enriched uranium components were stored deep in underground bunkers in another part of the country.

Some nuclear experts believe this is very plausible, although there is no public evidence of this.

Iran definitely has the knowledge, scientific aptitude and ability to do this.

In addition, it’s believed that Iran has long been working together with both Pakistan and North Korea on nuclear weapon technology.

The other possibility is that Iran has obtained several nuclear warheads from either North Korea or Pakistan.

It is known if Pakistan may have already transferred some nuclear weapons to Saudi Arabia under Pakistani control.

Image from https://www.38north.org/2023

It should be noted that Iran has already received the Hwasong-18 ICBM intercontinental missiles from North Korea capable of reaching the United States.

Together, these ICBMs with nuclear warheads could be devastating to the United States.

Iran has already proved it has hit Israel with missiles without much resistance today.

What would be very concerning to Israel is that a nuclear strike on Iran would not be as devastating as an Iranian nuclear attack on Israel, because Iran is a very large country, and Israel has a very small land mass.

This means that Iran could annihilate Israel with nuclear weapons without being annihilated itself.

Strategically, this means that the United States and Israel cannot ‘bully’ Iran and expect to escape severe consequences.

The US objective of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons has already failed, with US President Donald Trump being humiliated.

It's now very unlikely that Iran will continue any more negotiations with the United States, and Israel will be forced to withdraw from Lebanon as well.

If US provocations don’t cease, then it is most likely that Iran would detonate a nuclear device to prove its possession.

If Iran proceeds, then it will be understood that Iran has more than just a single nuclear bomb at its disposal.

This may help Iran finish the war that continues to linger in a ‘cease-fire’ limbo.

Iran proving it possesses a nuclear weapon capability will gravely dent the pride of the United States and lead the world more quickly into a multi-polar order. – June 4, 2026

Related News

Opinion / 2d

Has the sleeping giant been awakened with a terrible resolve?

Opinion / 4d

Trump’s strategy in the Strait of Hormuz could lead to his downfall

Opinion / 1w

US attacks in the Gulf show the weaknesses of MOUs

Malaysia / 2w

Any pardon for Jho Low by the US won’t affect our stand – PM Anwar

Malaysia / 2w

Jho Low may be among 250 individuals to receive Trump's pardon in conjunction with US Independence Day

World / 2w

Iran’s My Lai: The Minab school bombing and the reckoning that never comes

Spotlight

Malaysia

PRN Negeri Sembilan: The battlegrounds, big names and three-cornered fights to watch

By Alfian Z.M. Tahir

People

Woman ends up with RM500 over food bill after date with ‘doctor’

Malaysia

Love scam: Twelve China nationals arrested in Ipoh over suspected online call centres

Malaysia

ASLI to field female candidate in Jeram Padang DUN

Community

‘Furry officer’ laid to rest as Kuching traffic police mourn beloved stray cat (video)

By Alfian Z.M. Tahir

Malaysia

Father mauled by crocodile as son watches in horror in Sabah river (UPDATED)

Malaysia

Johor shuts down Forest City Network School premises

Malaysia

Singapore: Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon to retire in Feb 2027, succeeded by Justice Sushil Nair

You may be interested

World

Epstein survivor reveals how financier built “ecosystem of abuse” to control women for years

World

Hong Kong’s phone scam epidemic worsens as 61 arrested and losses soar to HK$720m

World

EU and GCC reject 'unlawful' sovereignty claim over Strait of Hormuz

World

Andrew and Tristan Tate arrested in US as UK seeks extradition over new rape, trafficking charges

World

US retaliates with fresh strikes on Iran after troops killed as conflict spreads across the Gulf

World

Gulf energy security deteriorates as U.S.-Iran strikes hit infrastructure

World

Cyanide fumes killed Bangkok bar fire victims within minutes, autopsies show

World

Trump’s China election attacks test fragile Beijing truce ahead of XI summit