Iranian government spokesperson Nasser Kanaani criticized France’s stance on nuclear weapons in a message shared on his X account Friday evening. His remarks followed comments made by French President Emmanuel Macron regarding the necessity of a strong military to ensure national security.
In his post, Kanaani juxtaposed Macron’s assertion that “to be feared, one must be powerful” with the French leader’s insistence that Iran should never possess nuclear weapons. Iran maintains that its nuclear program is intended for peaceful purposes, which are subject to international monitoring.
Kanaani referenced a recent French missile test capable of carrying nuclear warheads and remarked, “The question is not why France possesses a nuclear deterrent. The real question is why a logic that guarantees security and freedom in France suddenly becomes a ‘threat’ in the context of Iran.” He emphasized that this contradiction is evident even when discussing Iran’s civilian nuclear capabilities.
He further argued that the desire to maintain a nuclear monopoly allows certain countries to impose restrictions on others, particularly those seeking to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. “They do not want peace for everyone,” he conveyed, asserting that nuclear-armed states aim to maintain both military power and the authority to intimidate.
Kanaani concluded by criticizing what he described as an unequal international order, suggesting it favors a limited group of powers rather than promoting genuine peace and security for all nations. He claimed that such an order undermines the concept of collective security and perpetuates dominance.
As discussions regarding nuclear policy continue, the exchange highlights ongoing tensions around nuclear deterrence and the recognition of nations’ rights to pursue nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
