At a state ceremony in Jerusalem on Wednesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the public. The event, held at Mount Herzl, honored the burial of Ze’ev Herzl and his wife, the grandparents of Theodor Herzl, the visionary behind the Jewish state. During his speech, Netanyahu cited a statement from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander, Ahmad Vahidi, who supposedly declared that Iran intends to develop nuclear weapons. Netanyahu insisted the remark was made that same day, though no public or official source in Iran had reported such a claim. If verified, the remark would signal a major shift in Iran’s public stance. For years, Iran has repeatedly denied any intention to pursue nuclear weapons, a claim widely regarded as false by the international community.
Unverified claims
No public confirmation of the statement has come from Iranian authorities or any of the country’s official media. The first mention of Vahidi’s alleged comment appeared in an English-language post on Channel 14’s X account. That post, however, was shared about three hours after the initial report. An unofficial English-language account known as Mossad Commentary had already posted the same claim an hour before that. The lack of a clear source or explanation for how the quote was obtained has raised questions. The claim is still unverified and has not been confirmed by any official sources within Iran. This lack of verification has not stopped the statement from being shared widely, even by high-profile figures.
International reactions
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, joined the conversation by sharing the claim. He labeled it an overdue admission, writing that it confirmed what many have long suspected about Iran’s true intentions. Despite Waltz’s backing of the statement, the source of the claim remains unclear. No independent confirmation of Vahidi’s words has been provided. Without such proof, the statement remains in question, and its authenticity cannot be assured. This ambiguity has not stopped it from circulating among officials and media platforms, though skepticism persists.
Netanyahu’s speech emphasized Israel’s unwavering stance against Iranian nuclear ambitions. He highlighted President Donald Trump as a key ally, praising him as Israel’s greatest friend in the White House. Netanyahu stressed the importance of joint efforts between the U.S. and Israel to counter Iran’s nuclear program. He made it clear that Israel will take whatever measures are necessary to protect its security, regardless of whether a nuclear agreement is reached. He affirmed that Israel’s identity and sovereignty are not up for negotiation. His words were intended to convey a strong message: Israel will always act to ensure its survival and future, especially in the face of existential threats.
Earlier this year, Netanyahu had claimed in a Channel 14 interview that Iran already possessed atomic bombs. He said he had entered Iran twice to prevent a nuclear threat to Israel, adding that he would do so again if needed. His remarks at the time caused controversy and drew criticism. Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yashar! party, strongly disputed the claim, calling it an invention designed to frighten the public. “Netanyahu made smug remarks,” Eisenkot stated. “Iran had no nuclear bombs. He is inventing a reality to create fear among the Israeli people.” The disagreement highlights the ongoing debate over the true nature of Iran’s nuclear program and how to address it.