An insightful comment made by "Mohammad" at the website 'The Race for Iran' in the comment section of the article, "Ahmadinejad and Netanyahu on the Iranian Nuclear Issue at the UN General Assembly":
"The issue is not only a fatwa, it’s reputation. If Iran ever produces nukes, that would equal to Khamenei telling Iranians and others “I lied. I am a liar.”Related:
If you live in Iran, you’d know that Khamenei’s reputation is carefully managed, because it is tied to the legitimacy of the Islamic Republic. If Iran wanted to keep the option of developing nuclear weapons open, it could simply say that “in current circumstances, we do not intend to build a bomb.” It wouldn’t need a fatwa. Iran’s opposition to nuclear weapons is now effectively an ideological one, something Iran can’t retract anymore."
Imam Khamenei 's Fatwa Prohibits Nuclear Weapons And Weapons Of Mass Destruction.
Juan Cole - Yes, MEMRI, there is a Fatwa from Khamenei forbidding Nukes.
Iran will never seek nuclear weapons: Leader.
Juan Cole - Khamenei Takes Control, Forbids Nuclear Bomb.
