Iranian lawmaker urges nuclear bomb as Khamenei orders retaliation against US and Israel

Iranian lawmaker Mahmoud Nabavian renewed calls Saturday for Tehran to build an atomic bomb, following Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei's directive for an "immediate, impactful, and geographically unrestricted response" against the US and Israel. Nabavian, a hardline parliament member, argued on X that changing Iran's nuclear doctrine is the demand of the "overwhelming majority" of Iranians, citing Quranic verses on equal retaliation. Khamenei ordered armed forces to update target lists to include all US and Israeli assets within reach. Khamenei met with top military commanders Saturday, with officials warning of an "unimaginable response" without geographical limits. The threats come as diplomatic efforts in Qatar face potential collapse amid fears of renewed Middle East conflict.