‘Haram, Forbidden In Islam’: Iran Representative In India Says Tehran ‘Does Not Want Nuclear Weapons’

Last Updated:May 24, 2026, 10:08 IST

Speaking in Varanasi, Hakeem Ilahi said Iran had made its position on nuclear weapons clear more than three decades ago and continued to adhere to that stance.

Dr Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, a representative of Iran’s Supreme Leader in India, reiterated that Tehran does not seek nuclear weapons, describing their possession as forbidden under Islam.

Speaking in Varanasi, Hakeem Ilahi said Iran had made its position on nuclear weapons clear more than three decades ago and continued to adhere to that stance.

“Actually, more than 30 years ago, we clearly and frankly announced that we do not want to have nuclear weapons. According to the fatwa issued by our Supreme Leader, which we consider a religious statement, possessing nuclear weapons is haram, forbidden under Islam. We cannot have them. We did not want them, and we do not want them," he said.

His remarks come amid ongoing international discussions surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme and negotiations involving Tehran and global powers over the future of its nuclear activities.

Meanwhile, according to a report by The New York Times, Iran has agreed to give up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium as part of an emerging agreement with the United States, a development that could become a major breakthrough in ongoing efforts to end the months-long conflict between Washington, Israel and Tehran.

Tehran agreed to a statement pledging to relinquish its cache of enriched uranium, material that US officials reportedly believe could have been sufficient to produce multiple nuclear weapons, the report added.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly described Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile as “nuclear dust" and said stopping Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons remains one of the central objectives of the conflict.

The report also said US officials warned Iran that military strikes could resume if Tehran refused to compromise on the uranium issue, even as broader ceasefire negotiations moved forward.

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