If one takes a realistic view of world affairs, it appears that in today’s world, for any country to achieve military strength and live with dignity and independence without nuclear weapons has become nearly impossible. Therefore, this double standard should end — that only a few countries may possess nuclear weapons while others may not. If nuclear weapons are considered wrong for Iran, then in principle United States, Russia, China, United Kingdom, France, and other countries should also not possess them. In that case, all countries’ nuclear weapons should likewise be thrown into the sea and destroyed.
The United States has nuclear bombs, advanced fighter aircraft, and some of the world’s most dangerous and lethal weapons. Israel has nuclear weapons and highly advanced missiles and armaments. In contrast, according to this statement, Iran is militarily a weaker country; its air force has been diminished, and it has very limited resources. It has faced sanctions for the past forty years. Yet, in the spirit of the verse by Allama Iqbal — “If a believer truly has faith, even without a sword he fights as a soldier” — Iran, with whatever means it had, even stones metaphorically speaking, has resisted both the United States and Israel and continues to do so.
I believe that under the principle of peaceful coexistence, Iran’s freedom, sovereignty, and right of self-defense should also be recognized.
— Altaf Hussain
Addressing the 401st intellectual session on TikTok
10 May 2026
|