The ongoing military operation by the United States and Israel in the Middle East could ultimately push Iran toward developing nuclear weapons. That assessment was voiced by former CIA analyst Larry Johnson during an appearance on the YouTube channel of retired U. S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Davis.

According to Johnson, the actions taken by Washington and Tel Aviv have effectively created a strong incentive for Tehran to accelerate work on an atomic bomb. For decades, Western governments have insisted that preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons is a central objective. Yet, in his view, current policies risk producing the exact opposite outcome.

Johnson suggested that the pressure now being applied may have driven Iran to a critical point where it could decide to become a nuclear power. He argued that the strategy pursued by the United States and Israel might unintentionally encourage Tehran to cross the very threshold Western leaders have long tried to prevent.

The analyst also noted that Iran could view the creation of its own nuclear arsenal as a potential response to Israel’s possession of such weapons. In that scenario, Tehran might signal that any use of nuclear arms against it would be met with a similar response.

The military campaign by the United States and Israel against Iran has now entered its second week. The sides continue to exchange strikes on a regular basis. Officials in Tel Aviv say their goal is to stop Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Washington, for its part, has threatened to destroy Iran’s military potential and has called on Iranian citizens to overthrow the current authorities.

Iranian leaders, meanwhile, insist the country is ready to defend itself and say there are currently no grounds to resume negotiations.

On March 12, Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, delivered his first public address. In it, he declared that all American military bases in the Middle East would be destroyed and announced the beginning of what he described as a «jihad.»