U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan speaks during a press conference in Tel Aviv, Israel, on December 12, 2024.
Abir Sultan | via Reuters
The Biden administration is concerned that a weakened Iran could decide to build a nuclear weapon, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Sunday, adding that he was briefing President-elect Trump’s team on the risk.
Iran’s regional influence has suffered setbacks following Israeli attacks on its allies Hamas in Palestine and Hezbollah in Lebanon and the fall of Iran-aligned Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Tehran’s “conventional capabilities” have also been weakened, Sullivan told CNN, referring to recent Israeli attacks on Iranian facilities, including missile factories and air defense systems.
“It’s no wonder there are people[in Iran]saying ‘Hey, maybe we need to develop nuclear weapons now… maybe we have to revisit our nuclear doctrine,'” Sullivan told CNN.
Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, but it has expanded uranium enrichment since Trump withdrew from a deal between Iran and world powers aimed at curbing Tehran’s nuclear ambitions during his first term.
Sullivan said there was now a “real risk” that Iran would change its stance that “we will not develop nuclear weapons.”
“We are trying to remain vigilant about this risk right now. I am personally briefing the incoming team on this risk,” Sullivan said, adding that he had also consulted with U.S. ally Israel on the issue.
Trump, who takes office on January 20, is likely to tighten sanctions on Iran’s oil industry, despite calls for a return to negotiations by critics who argue diplomacy is a more effective long-term policy.
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