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By Brendan Cole and Shane Croucher
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An Iranian state media outlet posted a video to social media of a hand stroking what appears to be a dummy of a nuclear bomb alongside the word "maybe."
The message posted to X, formerly Twitter, by the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) in Arabic comes as Israel continues with its campaign to destroy the Islamic Republic's nuclear capabilities.
Newsweek has contacted the Iranian foreign ministry for comment.
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Why It Matters
The message on Iranian state media comes as Israel continues to attack Iranian military and nuclear sites in a campaign it says is aimed at stopping Tehran from building a nuclear bomb.
Iran has struck back with drone and missile strikes on Israel, but it denies seeking to build a nuclear weapon and says its nuclear research is for civilian energy purposes. At the moment there is no evidence that Iran possessed nuclear weapons but the video on social media could be a deemed an ominous warning about Tehran's intentions.
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What To Know
The 17-second video was posted on Tuesday by the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) in Arabic, which describes itself on its X handle as "the voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Arab world" and is licensed by Iran's Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance.
Set to dramatic music, the clip shows a small replica of a bomb with a nuclear symbol on it that a hand then strokes. The caption reads "maybe" in the clip, which as of Wednesday morning had been viewed 5.7 million times.
It comes as President Donald Trump has urged Iran to make a deal on its nuclear program and said he will not allow it to develop a weapon.
As Israel continues with its strikes on Iran, which it says have eliminated Tehran's military and intelligence leadership and killed its top nuclear scientists, Trump has strengthened the U.S. military posture in the Middle East, giving him the option to take military action.
Alex Leveringhaus, lecturer in political theory at the University of Surrey in England told Newsweek that the destruction of Iranian nuclear facilities is part of Israel's current military effort, although it lacks the assets to destroy the crucial Fordow Fuel Enrichment plant.
Trump held a meeting Tuesday afternoon in the White House Situation Room and is considering entering the conflict according to CBS News citing five unnamed sources familiar with the matter.
Israel's army says it struck a centrifuge production site which can enrich uranium and weapons manufacturing sites in Iran, although this has not been independently confirmed.
What People Are Saying
The Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) in Arabic posted an image of a nuclear bomb next to the word: "Maybe."
In a message to the Iranian leadership, President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social: "UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!"
Alex Leveringhaus, lecturer in political theory at University of Surrey in England told Newsweek: "If, as the Israeli government might reason, it is impossible to fully destroy Iran's nuclear infrastructure, then installing a new government more sympathetic to Israel constitutes an attractive goal."
What Happens Next
As the conflict between Israel and Iran escalates, all eyes are on Washington, where Trump has hinted at greater U.S. involvement, saying he wants something "much bigger" than a ceasefire.
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