Latest news with #NuclearWeapons
Wall Street Journal
3 days ago
- General
- Wall Street Journal
Iran's Latest Nuclear Weapons Progress
Which is more troubling—what we know about Iran's nuclear program or what we don't know? Two new reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) underscore Iran's unceasing pursuit of nuclear weapons and longtime deception about its efforts. The IAEA is the United Nations nuclear watchdog, and its new reports were prepared in advance of a board meeting. In the past, Iran would slow its uranium enrichment before IAEA meetings and escape with a slap on the wrist. This time the Iranians haven't bothered with the charade. They've increased their stockpile of 60%-enriched uranium by about half since early February, the IAEA finds, amassing enough for 10 nuclear weapons. Note that this is since President Trump took office. Iran is the only state without nukes to produce 60%-enriched uranium, which is a stone's throw from weapons-grade and well beyond the levels required for civilian energy or research. The only reason to enrich to that level is for nuclear bombs, and Iran has been adding one bomb's worth of fissile material a month. A second IAEA report details Iran's noncompliance with an investigation into its undeclared nuclear material. Under its safeguards agreement, part of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Iran is obligated to account fully for its nuclear material and activities.
Al Arabiya
5 days ago
- General
- Al Arabiya
Israel says after IAEA report, the international community must stop Iran
Israel said on Saturday that the latest report from the International Atomic Energy Agency showed that Iran's nuclear program was not peaceful and that Tehran remained determined to complete its nuclear weapons program. 'The international community must act now to stop Iran,' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement, adding that the level of uranium enrichment Iran had reached 'exists only in countries actively pursuing nuclear weapons and has no civilian justification whatsoever.'
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Israel is 'getting ready to quickly strike Iran if the Islamic Republic's nuclear talks with US collapse'
Israel is preparing to get 'the go-ahead' and strike Iran if ongoing nuclear deal talks with the United States break down, sources have revealed. The revelation comes just days after US President Donald Trump embarked on a tour of the Gulf and told reporters Iran had to move quickly on a US proposal for its nuclear programme or 'something bad's going to happen'. It is understood that Iran received a proposal last Friday, though the terms have not been elaborated upon. However, Trump was emphatic during his tour that Iran could not be allowed to obtain a nuclear bomb. US intelligence agencies have assessed Tehran is not actively pursuing this, though analysts say the nation's programme is on the cusp of being able to weaponise nuclear material. Within Israeli intelligence circles however, there is a concern the nuclear talks could collapse at any moment, which would prompt a renewed call for action. 'Bibi is waiting for the nuclear talks to collapse and for the moment Trump will be disappointed about the negotiations and open to giving him the go-ahead,' said sources referring to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, The Times of Israel reported. The sources added Israel is preparing to act fast in the event of negotiations failing. They also confirmed a CNN report that Israel would undertake a week-long campaign, rather than a one-off assault, with potential targets including Iranian nuclear facilities. One of the sources added: 'There was a lot of training and the US military sees everything and understands Israel is preparing.' Washington is said to be worried that Israel could strike without Trump's green light, a US source told Axios. There are also wider concerns that a strike could ignite a wider war in the region that would involve the release of nuclear materials. Since April 12, Iran and the United States have held four rounds of nuclear talks, with more scheduled for this week in Rome with Oman acting as a mediator. A source told CNN the likelihood of an Israeli strike against Iran's nuclear capabilities 'has gone up significantly in recent months'. The US is intent on brokering a deal with Iran over its nuclear program, though it is understood Israel would want to see the removal of all of the country's uranium stock. It is also believed that Iran would be offered a lessening of sanctions if it agrees to curb its activities - however Iran has repeatedly said that it does not want to give up its right to a uranium enrichment programme. Iran has also argued that it is only interested in developing an atomic program to benefit its population - however it has actively pursued enrichment of uranium up to 60 per cent purity, which is used only in weapons. Trump has repeatedly threatened to unleash airstrikes targeting Iran's program if a deal is not reached, while Israel has regularly warned it would strike Iran's nuclear facilities if it feels threatened. Such a move could further complicate tensions in the region which have already arisen from the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.
News18
16-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Do Nuclear Bombs Explode On-Ground Or Mid-Air? Which Would Cause More Damage?
Last Updated: An often-asked question is whether a nuclear bomb exploded mid-air or on the ground? And more importantly, which method causes greater devastation The ceasefire between India and Pakistan is holding but baseless rumours continue to be speculated upon online that India's BrahMos missiles struck the Kirana Hills in Pakistan, a site long believed to host key components of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal. The Indian Air Force categorically denied this claim, with IAF Air Marshal AK Bharti stating in a recent press briefing that India did not hit Kirana Hills and dismissing all speculation over whether the Indian forces targeted Pakistan's 'nuclear storage" sites. However, these speculations have reignited intense public debate over nuclear doctrines, target strategies, and the science behind atomic warfare. The Science Of Nuclear Detonation: Airburst vs Surface Burst An often-asked question is whether a nuclear bomb exploded mid-air or on the ground? And more importantly, which method causes greater devastation? According to the US Defence Technical Information Centre, the majority of nuclear detonations are designed to occur in mid-air – a technique known as an 'airburst detonation'. This method involves the explosion of a nuclear device a few hundred metres above the ground, allowing the shockwave to disperse evenly in all directions. This strategy was grimly demonstrated in Hiroshima in 1945, where the bomb exploded approximately 600 metres above the city. The result was an annihilation radius that vapourised infrastructure and killed tens of thousands instantly. The rationale for an airburst is straightforward: it maximises damage over a broader area, making it ideal for targeting cities, military bases, and other 'soft" targets such as civilian infrastructure. In contrast, a 'surface burst' – where the bomb explodes upon impact with the ground – produces a narrower zone of destruction. This method is typically employed to penetrate and destroy hardened targets such as underground bunkers, missile silos, or fortified command centers. However, surface bursts have a higher environmental and radiological cost. When the fireball touches the ground, it sucks up enormous amounts of radioactive debris into the atmosphere, creating long-lasting fallout and environmental contamination. India And Pakistan's Doctrine On Nuclear Use India and Pakistan, both nuclear-armed nations with a history of conflict, have adopted markedly different nuclear strategies. India maintains a No First Use (NFU) policy, committing to only use nuclear weapons in retaliation to a nuclear attack. If provoked, however, Indian military doctrine allows for a devastating retaliatory strike – likely via airburst – aimed at paralysing enemy infrastructure and command systems. Pakistan, meanwhile, does not subscribe to the NFU doctrine. It has instead developed Tactical Nuclear Weapons (TNWs), which are smaller, battlefield-grade nuclear devices designed to deter or respond to conventional military incursions. These TNWs are believed to be optimised for surface detonation, suitable for halting advancing forces rather than widespread destruction. While TNWs may limit the blast radius, they present their own dangers. A tactical strike on home soil could still release radioactive contamination and potentially trigger a full-scale nuclear response from India. As speculation swirled on May 10, a curious diplomatic footnote emerged where sources claimed that a high-level Pakistani official placed a discreet call to counterparts in India. While the content of the conversation remains classified, intelligence circles are abuzz with theories suggesting that it may have signalled an unofficial acceptance of defeat or a backchannel plea to prevent further escalation. Though unconfirmed, the call is being viewed by many as a quiet acknowledgment of the psychological and strategic edge India may have gained during Operation Sindoor – not only through its conventional military might but also via the implied readiness to escalate if pushed to the brink. First Published: May 16, 2025, 16:24 IST
