Friday Sermon In Qom, Iran By Mohammad-Reza Hamedi: We Request That Khamenei Reconsiders His Fatwa Banning The Production Of Nuclear Weapons

In a November 22, 2024 Friday sermon in Pardisan, Qom, Mohammad-Reza Hamedi urged Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, to reconsider his fatwa banning the production and use of nuclear weapons. Hamedi argued that while Iran does not need to use nuclear weapons, it should have them as a deterrent, especially as its enemies possess nuclear weapons and pose threats to the country. The sermon was uploaded to Tabnak.ir (Iran).

Mohammad-Reza Hamedi: "As must as we try to work with [the West] and explain the issues, they continue to insist on their positions. If we have to suffer such accusations, if our enemies can have every kind of nuclear warheads, we would like to request from [Khamenei], our Leader and the Leader of all Muslims, the Hidden Imam's deputy, and our source of religious authority a small favor from his greatness – that he reconsider his fatwa [banning nuclear weapons]. Why? Because things have changed.

"It will not be a weapon of mass destruction for us, but a means of protection for us. Our enemies have them, and they use them to threaten us. We do not [plan] to use them. It is enough that we have them and can build them. Therefore, we humbly make this request from his greatness [Khamenei]. If you all also agree that he [should] give his permission for this, show it with your chant of Allah Akbar, so our officials can have access to this weapon."

Crowd: "Allah Akbar! Allah Akbar!"