Antiwar.com Director Disputes Israel’s Iran Nuclear Claims
Table of Contents
Criticism centers on the potential for nuclear weapons development.
June 14, 2025 – Time.news Staff.
A leading voice from Antiwar.com is raising doubts about Israel’s recent statements regarding Iran’s nuclear program, questioning the imminence of Tehran acquiring nuclear weapons.
- Scott Horton, director of the Libertarian Institute, contests Israel’s claims.
- Horton notes the U.S. has not confirmed Israel’s assertions.
- He suggests current attacks could make Iran more likely to pursue nukes.
Is Iran on the verge of developing nuclear weapons, as Israel claims? Scott Horton, editorial director of Antiwar.com, strongly contests this assertion, especially in the wake of recent military strikes. He suggests that Iran possesses the “latent nuclear deterrent” capabilities, similar to countries such as Germany, Japan, or Brazil.
Horton’s Analysis
Horton, who also directs the Libertarian Institute, pointed out that other nations, including the United States, have yet to confirm the Israeli claims. He shared his perspective during an interview on Friday, a day after Israel launched its military strikes.
The “Latent Nuclear Deterrent”
Horton clarified that Iran has long possessed the building blocks for nuclear weapons. “What they had all along is a latent nuclear deterrent — it’s the same as Germany, Japan or Brazil, where they had shown they perfected the fuel cycle, they know how to make nuclear weapons fuel, but they’re not making it,” he stated.
Did you know? Iran’s nuclear program has been a source of international tension for years, with varying degrees of success at the negotiation table.
Impact of the Attack
Horton suggests that the recent attacks may actually make Iran more inclined to pursue nuclear weapons. He believes that the military action could backfire, pushing Tehran to reconsider its strategy.
“With this attack, they’re actually more likely to pursue nuclear weapons now, whereas before they actually were not pursuing them.”
Trump’s Role
Horton also criticized President Trump for withdrawing from a U.S.-Iran agreement in 2018. This agreement, brokered by the Obama administration, aimed to limit Tehran’s nuclear capabilities.
“Trump could have just got back into the deal and called it the Trump Deal instead of the Obama Deal, and all of this would have been fine,” Horton remarked. The agreement’s cancellation is viewed by Horton as a misstep.
Antiwar.com Director Challenges Israeli Claims on Iran’s Nuclear Capabilities
June 14, 2025 – Time.news Staff
Recent statements by Israel regarding Iran’s nuclear program are being met with skepticism from some quarters. scott Horton, editorial director of Antiwar.com and the Libertarian Institute, is challenging the Israeli assertions, notably concerning the immediacy of Iran developing nuclear weapons. Horton contends that Iran’s nuclear capabilities are overstated, citing the lack of confirmation from the United States and other nations.
- Scott Horton questions the assertions made by Israel.
- horton highlights the absence of corroboration from the United States.
- He suggests that current actions could potentially push Iran towards pursuing nuclear weapons.
the Core Dispute: Iran’s Nuclear Status
At the heart of the debate is the question of how close Iran is to acquiring nuclear weapons. Is Iran on the brink, as some allege? horton argues that the situation is more nuanced, and Iran’s capacities are comparable to nations that possess the technical know-how but have chosen not to weaponize. Horton asserts that the capacity for a “latent nuclear deterrent” exists.
Horton’s Analysis: A Critical Viewpoint
Horton’s analysis, shared during an interview following Israeli military strikes, focuses on several key points:
Lack of External Verification: He highlights the absence of confirmation from the United States, along with other international players, which considerably undercuts Israel’s claims. This lack of consensus casts doubt on the urgency of the situation.
The “Latent nuclear Deterrent”: Horton draws a comparison between Iran’s capabilities and those of countries like Germany, Japan, and Brazil. He explains that Iran possesses the technical capacity, including a perfected fuel cycle, to produce nuclear weapons fuel. However, it has not yet chosen to weaponize.
Is this truly a crisis? The disagreement centers on whether Iran is actively pursuing nuclear weapons or maintaining a “latent nuclear deterrent.”
Impacts of Recent Attacks
The recent military strikes by Israel could unexpectedly influence Iran’s strategic decisions. Horton suggests these actions could paradoxically make Iran more inclined to develop nuclear weapons. He believes the strikes may backfire, prompting Iran to reconsider its position.
President Trump’s role: A Look Back
Horton also brings up the critical role of the U.S. in the situation. He faults President Trump for withdrawing from the U.S.-Iran agreement in 2018. He suggests that re-entering the deal would have de-escalated tensions. the cancellation of the agreement is seen as a misstep.
FAQs
Q: What is the “latent nuclear deterrent” that Horton refers to?
A: It signifies a nation’s ability to quickly develop nuclear weapons using existing technology.
Q: What are the implications of the U.S. not confirming Israel’s claims?
A: It provides a credible counterpoint to the immediacy of the threat from the Israeli statements.
