Iranian economist Mohammad-Reza Yazdizadeh said Iran must demonstrate to the United States and Israel that it possesses nuclear capability and is prepared to use its highly enriched uranium as a strategic weapon.
Speaking on the JomhouriStreet YouTube channel on June 1, Yazdizadeh claimed Iran could use its reported stockpile of 460 kilograms of highly enriched uranium to produce as many as 100 missiles carrying so-called “dirty bomb” warheads.
He argued that Iran should make clear that any nuclear attack by the United States or Israel would trigger retaliation in kind. Yazdizadeh specifically threatened Washington, claiming Iran possesses missiles capable of reaching the US capital.
The Iranian economist also linked nuclear power to control of the Strait of Hormuz, arguing that Iran could not remain at war with a nuclear state and maintain control of the strategic waterway unless it also became a nuclear power.