Blinken Says Iran’s Nuclear Program ‘Profoundly Destabilizing’
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has refrained from criticizing the Saudi Crown Prince for suggesting his country will get nuclear weapons if Iran does so first.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has refrained from criticizing the Saudi Crown Prince for suggesting his country will get nuclear weapons if Iran does so first.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salam speaking to Fox News this week referred to the danger of Iran producing nuclear weapons and said, "If they get one, we have to get one, for security reasons and the balance of power in the Middle East. But we don't want to see that.”
Asked during the press conference if this kind of Saudi desire is not destabilizing, Blinken replied, “I think the comments that you alluded to point to the fact that Iran’s own activities in pursuing a nuclear program are a profoundly destabilizing element and one that risks the security of countries not only in the region but well beyond it…” He went on to say, “And so the problem is very clear, and the problem is Iran. That is the destabilizing element.”
However, the Biden administration announced a prisoner exchange deal with Tehran in August that also released $6 billion of blocked funds from South Korea. Earlier, Blinken had also waived US sanctions to allow Iraq to release $2.7 billion. Indications point to ongoing secret talks with Qatar’s mediation to release more funds in return for a partial Iranian slowdown of its uranium enrichment. Critics argue that the release of billion of dollars simply empowers the Islamic Republic without imposing real limitations on its nuclear program or destabilizing activities in the region.
Blinken also said that Iran's decision to bar some UN nuclear inspectors suggests it is not interested in being a responsible actor on its atomic program.
The comments suggested Washington is skeptical of Tehran's desire to engage seriously on restricting its nuclear program.
The head of the International Atomic Energy (IAEA) nuclear watchdog has condemned Iran's move to bar multiple inspectors assigned to the country, hindering its oversight of Tehran's atomic activities.
Iran said it was responding to a call led by the United States and three European allies for Tehran to cooperate immediately with the UN nuclear watchdog on issues including explaining uranium traces found at undeclared sites.
One of the agency's key purposes is to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons by verifying that states honor their obligations to use nuclear technology only for peaceful purposes.
The IAEA was responsible for verifying Iran's compliance with the defunct 2015 Iran nuclear deal, JCPOA, under which Tehran curbed its nuclear program in return for the easing of US, European Union and UN sanctions.
Efforts to revive that deal, which then-US President Donald Trump abandoned in 2018, collapsed about a year ago and Washington has been searching for a new way to get Tehran to restrain its program.
"We tried to work indirectly with Iran as well as with European partners and even Russia and China to see if we can get a return to compliance with the Iran nuclear deal ... But Iran couldn't or wouldn't do that," Blinken told reporters.
"Just this past week we saw them remove IAEA inspectors who are critical to doing the work at the IAEA to - as best you can - ensure that Iran is consistent with whatever obligations it has," he said. "That is not evidence of an Iran that is interested in actually being a responsible actor."
Tehran's move, known as "de-designation" of inspectors, is allowed; states can generally veto inspectors assigned to visit their nuclear facilities under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and each country's safeguards agreement with the agency.
With reporting by Reuters
During his speech at the UN General Assembly on Friday, he stated that his country stood at the threshold of peace with Saudi Arabia, envisioning that this peace could be achieved with the assistance of US President Joe Biden and reshape the Middle East.
In contrast to Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi, whose 30-minute speech consisted of a series of rants justifying Iran's adversarial stance towards the West, the Prime Minister of Iran's archenemy presented a solution to address regional issues and reshape the Middle East. He asserted that a peace agreement with Saudi Arabia could be transformative for the Middle East, provided that the nuclear threat posed by Iran was eliminated.
He displayed contrasting maps showing Israel’s isolation at the time of its creation in 1948 and the six countries that have normalized relations with it, including four that did so in 2020 in the so-called Abraham Accords. “There’s no question the Abraham Accords heralded the dawn of a new age of peace.
He stated, "Such a peace will go a long way in ending the Arab-Israeli conflict and will encourage other Arab states to normalize their relations with Israel." He emphasized that it would also "promote broader reconciliation between Judaism and Islam, between Jerusalem and Mecca, and between the descendants of Isaac and the descendants of Ishmael."
Raisi had earlier in the day stated in Tehran that the solution to the Palestinian issue does not lie in normalization agreements or agreements like the Camp David Accords, Oslo Accords, or Sharm El Sheikh Memorandum, but rather with the Supreme Leader.
Netanyahu referred to Iran as a "fly in the ointment" in terms of regional peace and criticized the world for appeasing the regime's oppression at home and support for conflicts worldwide.
He called on the international community to do more to support "the brave women and men of Iran who despise this regime and yearn for freedom, who have bravely taken to the streets of Tehran and other Iranian cities and faced death."
He pointed out that the international community had been threatening "crippling" sanctions but turning a blind eye to Iran's uranium enrichment, alluding to the largely defunct 2015 Iran deal.
"Eight years ago, Western powers promised that if Iran violated the nuclear deal, sanctions would be reimposed," Netanyahu stated. "Well, Iran is violating the deal. But the sanctions have not been reimposed." He emphasized that this policy needed to change to halt Iran's nuclear ambitions.
Netanyahu also discussed the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) advancements in reshaping the Middle East. While Iran's delegation engaged in a cat-and-mouse game to evade journalists during their stay in New York, with one of Iran International's reporters being attacked by a member of Raisi's entourage, Netanyahu was meeting individuals who could potentially turn his promises into reality.
He shared the stage with Tesla CEO Elon Musk at the auto manufacturer's Fremont factory, addressing a potentially contentious event before millions. He spoke about the risks and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence, as well as topics like antisemitism and judicial reform, all while appearing calm and well-prepared.
Netanyahu's message was particularly tailored to the two leaders he is attempting to engage in a legacy-defining agreement: Joe Biden and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Additionally, Netanyahu had a first ever face-to-face meeting with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday, marking a milestone as the two countries have been gradually improving their relations, strained by disagreements over policies towards the Palestinians. Netanyahu suggested that if a solution could be found, Israel would cooperate, while Raisi had earlier asserted that "resistance against Israel" is the key to resolving the Palestinian crisis. Netanyahu and Erdogan also agreed to visit each other's countries in the near future
Iran paraded its military hardware on Friday to mark what the Islamic Republic calls Sacred Defense Week, commemorating the start of the 1980-88 Iraq-Iran war. Forces from the Iranian Army, the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC), Police, Border Guards, and paramilitary Basij participated in the parades, showcasing ballistic and "hypersonic" missiles.
During his speech at the event, Raisi discussed several regional conflicts in which Iran has a stake, including the Kurdish groups in Iraqi Kurdistan, the Nagorno-Karabakh crisis, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
He praised Iraq's recent announcement that it has moved armed Kurdish groups away from the border with Iran as a “positive step” and renewed threats against them. He said Iran needs to send experts to Iraq to ensure that the groups have been disarmed according to a March agreement between Iran and Iraq on their relocation.
Regarding recent developments in the Karabakh region, Raisi reiterated that "Karabakh belongs to Azerbaijan, but we emphasize the necessity of respecting the rights of Armenians and preserving their security and rights." He added, “Our armed forces prevented any changes in geopolitics and border alterations,” without elaborating on this so-called accomplishment.
Raisi also denounced efforts by several regional countries to normalize ties with Israel, claiming that it would not bring peace and stability to the region. He underscored that Palestinian militia groups – what Iran calls resistance forces – “will not forgive normalization with Israel,” asserting that “All nations today detest the Zionist regime.”
He added that no Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts by the world will ever work except for the one proposed by Iran. “The Islamic Republic has repeatedly stated that the solution to the Palestinian issue is not the normalization of relations or agreements like Camp David Accords, Oslo Accords, and Sharm El Sheikh Memorandum,” he said. He claimed that “the solution is the one by the Supreme Leader,” who – according to Raisi -- proposed an election to form a government.
However, Iranian leaders have repeatedly called for the destruction of Israel and the rhetoric of their Palestinian allies is to expel the Jews from Israel.
The president also claimed that “the presence of Iranian forces in the region and the Persian Gulf ensures security, unlike armed forces of foreign countries (the United States) whose presence creates problems and crises.” He stated, “Today, as Iran unveils Mohajer drones and Fattah missiles, the Islamic Republic continues to join international treaties,” perhaps referring to Tehran’s recent accession to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the BRICS group of nations.
According to state media, the country's military unveiled several drones and missiles during the parade, including models of Mohajer, Fattah, Shahed, and Arash. Last month, the Islamic Republic claimed that it had built an advanced drone named Mohajer-10 with an enhanced flight range and duration, as well as a larger payload. It has an operational range of 2,000 km (1,240 miles) and can fly for up to 24 hours, Iranian media reported, adding that its payload could reach 300 kg (661 pounds), double the capacity of the Mohajer-6 drone.
The United States has accused Iran of providing Mohajer-6 drones, among other unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), to Russia for its war against Ukraine. On Tuesday, Washington expanded Iran-related sanctions, citing Tehran's "continued, deliberate proliferation of UAVs," enabling Russia, its proxies in the Middle East, and other destabilizing actors.
Media affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards said Thursday that he took part in “a joint Iran-Syria drill and visited several regions in line with efforts to help Syria deal with military and security challenges.”
The reports did not provide any details about the nature or location of the drill, but photos released from his trip showed the IRGC commander among a small group of military men in miscellaneous khaki uniforms, a typical feature of Iran-backed militias across the region.
According to reports, he also held talks with senior officials and military commanders in the Syrian capital Damascus. Qaani (Ghaani) was quoted as reiterating the Islamic Republic’s propaganda line that “the US is the main root of chaos, terrorism and fighting in Syria, the region and the world.
“Syria and Iran are brother countries, and they enjoy significant, all-out and deep strategic relations. The Islamic Republic of Iran will be by the side of the Syrian people and leadership in dealing with challenges,” he said.
The visit came against the backdrop of tensions between Iran-backed proxy militias and Lebanese Hezbollah with Israel.
Last month, a former counter-terrorism advisor to two Israeli prime ministers talked of the possibility of Iranian proxies attacking Israel in September or October.
Yigal Carmon, the founder of the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) and one of Israel’s leading counter-terrorism experts, wrote an August 31st article titled “Signs Of Possible War In September-October,“ in which he argued a “confrontation could result from an uncontrolled deterioration on the ground or from the use of new and unusually deadly weapons by these movements [Hamas and Hezbollah].”