Iran accelerating nuclear pursuit amid Hormuz escalation, expert warns

Escalating military confrontations in the Strait of Hormuz are paradoxically driving Iran to accelerate its nuclear ambitions, according to Beni Sabti, an Iran researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS).

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We need to immediately obtain a nuclear bomb to protect our assets in the Strait of Hormuz.

Sabti told 103FM that the ongoing conflict is not pushing Iran toward surrender. Instead, he described a leadership that remains combative despite severe blows and mounting domestic hardship. "An Iranian member of parliament tweeted, 'We need to immediately obtain a nuclear bomb to protect our assets in the Strait of Hormuz,'" Sabti noted, illustrating what he called "Iranian hubris and mindset." He believes this pressure compels Tehran to "run even faster toward the nuclear bomb."

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This is the Iranian hubris and mindset, 'They are pressing us even more? No problem, we will run even faster toward the nuclear bomb.' They are definitely not going to give up.

He argues that the regime's survival, even under duress, provides its leadership with a sense of victory. Sabti advocates for the U.S. to deepen its military strikes, stating, "As long as they are not going back into central Iran and eliminating more senior officials there, this round can keep going and going." He suggested that the Iranians "even enjoy this situation; they keep operating in an emergency mode."

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As long as they are not going back into central Iran and eliminating more senior officials there, this round can keep going and going. The Iranians even enjoy this situation; they keep operating in an emergency mode.

Sabti also commented on the new leadership under Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, contrasting him with his father. "His father still used to talk about the economic situation or praise the Iranian national team at the World Cup. Mojtaba only talks about war," Sabti observed. He believes this state of emergency benefits the current regime, keeping it "in emergency mode and give it life." Sabti compared Iran's strategy to Hamas, prioritizing war over the welfare of its people, even amidst destruction.

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His father still used to talk about the economic situation or praise the Iranian national team at the World Cup. Mojtaba only talks about war. This is the best possible situation for the new regime; you keep it in emergency mode and give it life.