Failing that, Tehran would begin walking out of some of the commitments in the JCPOA, Mr Rouhani has warned. The risk is that a more hardline regime might come to power and double down on the nuclear weapons programme. While North Korea’s acquisition of the bomb has made us realise that isolated, sanctioned regimes can become nuclear weapons power, Iran’s journey won’t be easy. Unlike North Korea — which had China — Iran has no protection from any nuclear power. Both Israel and the US can threaten, or even execute, military strikes to damage any nascent weapons programme.

Source: Hindustan Times May 10, 2019 02:15 UTC