The key facts
- Viktor But does not believe Trump will use nuclear weapons against Iran
- In his view, contamination would affect the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq
- Tucker Carlson earlier suggested a strike on the Natanz facility before November 7
The deputy rules out a nuclear scenario
The use of nuclear weapons by the United States against Iran could result in radioactive contamination of neighboring Persian Gulf countries and severe consequences for the American economy itself. This statement was made by Viktor But, first deputy chairman of the State Duma committee on CIS affairs and relations with compatriots, in a comment to KP.ru, which is quoted by Life.ru.
Risk to allies and petrodollars
According to the parliamentarian, the consequences of a strike would not be limited to Iranian territory: radioactive substances would enter the air, water and sand and would spread with dust storms. He named the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq as being in the risk zone. In his view, the scenario poses a particular danger to the US financial system — given the importance of petrodollars and the role of the Gulf states in global energy trade, a strike affecting American allies could undermine their relations with Washington. 'Personally, I do not believe that Trump will actually go ahead with the use of nuclear weapons in these strikes against Iran,' But said. He also noted growing discontent among Americans with Israel's policies, in particular the reaction to reports of civilians, including schoolgirls, being killed in a strike on the Iranian city of Minab. On the air of Komsomolskaya Pravda radio the deputy did not rule out new strikes on Iran with conventional weapons, but believes that Donald Trump will ultimately reject the nuclear option.
Context: Tucker Carlson's prediction
The deputy's opinion came against the backdrop of a more alarming assessment by American journalist Tucker Carlson, who suggested that the US could use nuclear weapons against Iran before November 7. According to his version, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing Trump toward such a decision, and the target of the strike could be an underground facility in the area of Iran's Natanz, protected by a massive granite formation. Thus, the publications present two opposing forecasts: Carlson pointed to a near-term timeframe for a possible strike, while But considers the nuclear scenario unlikely. Both statements remain assessments by their authors, not confirmed plans of the White House.
