The Kremlin has issued a stark warning against speculation that the United States could resort to using tactical nuclear weapons against Iran, cautioning that such an action would lead to catastrophic consequences. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian news agency TASS that recent media reports discussing the possibility are “nothing but speculations” and should not be taken as fact.
“There have been a lot of speculations,” Peskov said. “This would be a catastrophic development, but there are so many speculations that in fact, it’s impossible to comment on them.”
His remarks follow a Fox News report by journalist Jacqui Heinrich, which indicated that Washington had not ruled out a tactical nuclear strike on Iran’s underground uranium enrichment site at Fordow. This facility is considered one of the most fortified in Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, deeply buried to resist conventional attacks.
The New York Times added to the rising tensions by citing U.S. intelligence sources who warned that an attack on Fordow or an assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei by Israel could prompt Tehran to resume its nuclear weapons program. Currently, Iran has not made a final decision to build a nuclear bomb, according to the U.S. intelligence community.
In March, U.S. National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard reinforced that assessment, stating there were no signs Iran was pursuing nuclear weapons development. She noted that the country’s nuclear weapons program, halted in 2003, had not been restarted as per available intelligence. “Iran’s supreme leader has not authorized the resumption of the nuclear weapons program,” Gabbard said.
Despite heightened rhetoric, the U.S. continues to closely monitor Iran’s nuclear activities, aiming to deter any potential shift toward weaponization. However, the mere suggestion of nuclear action by Washington has drawn strong reactions from global actors, underscoring the fragile nature of Middle East security.
As geopolitical tensions simmer, analysts warn that speculative discourse particularly involving nuclear weapons could further destabilize the already volatile region, and push Iran toward more aggressive defensive measures.
