Nuclear security

Italy's parliament has approved a plan to return to nuclear energy, decades after the country abandoned atomic power in referendums following the 1987 Chernobyl disaster. The move is part of a broader push in Europe to reconsider nuclear power as a low-carbon energy source amid energy security concerns and climate goals.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the 80th UN General Assembly, declaring that Iran is not seeking a nuclear bomb and framing his country's posture around regional security and a doctrine of 'peace through strength'. The remarks, circulated by the Ahl al-Bayt Peace and Truth network, are drawing wide attention as Tehran seeks to reassure the international community while defending its strategic stance.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the 80th UN General Assembly, outlining Iran's positions on nuclear weapons, Israel and regional security. He is reported to have drawn clear red lines for Tehran, insisting Iran will not pursue nuclear arms while defending its right to respond to Israeli actions and regional pressure. The speech is drawing wide attention as tensions over Iran's nuclear program and the conflict with Israel remain high.

French news programme 24H Pujadas on LCI is covering a US alert about Russia allegedly developing or deploying nuclear weapons in orbit. The report examines warnings from American officials about a possible space-based nuclear capability, a scenario that would violate the Outer Space Treaty and raise major security concerns for Western allies.

A North Korean vice minister declared the country's nuclear weapons status to be 'irreversible', according to reports carried by South Korean outlet SBS. The statement reaffirms Pyongyang's long-standing position that it will not give up its nuclear arsenal, and it has drawn attention amid ongoing tensions on the Korean peninsula and stalled denuclearisation talks.

Japan's defense minister has once again drawn attention to the country's 'nuclear taboo', questioning long-standing constraints on discussing nuclear weapons policy. The comments come from the only nation to have suffered atomic bombings, where official debate about nuclear options has long been politically sensitive. The remarks have reignited discussion at home and abroad about Japan's defense posture and regional security.

North Korea has stated that its status as a nuclear weapons state is irreversible, reinforcing its long-standing position that it will not give up its arsenal. The declaration draws attention amid ongoing tensions with the United States and South Korea over Pyongyang's weapons programme and stalled denuclearisation talks.

Diplomacy between the United States and Iran has resumed, but the two sides are projecting very different messages. American officials struck a confident tone, declaring 'we're going to win', while Iranian representatives described the negotiations as 'more serious'. The contrasting rhetoric highlights continued distrust even as both governments return to the table, leaving observers uncertain whether the talks can produce a breakthrough.

The New York Times reports on what it calls a growing North Korea problem, drawing renewed attention to Pyongyang's behaviour on the international stage. The report adds to ongoing debate over North Korea's nuclear ambitions and the challenge it poses to regional and global security, a topic that continues to worry governments and analysts alike.

A potential agreement between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un on North Korea's nuclear programme could leave South Korea still exposed to Pyongyang's nuclear threat, according to Korea JoongAng Daily. The concern is that a US-North Korea deal focused on missiles capable of reaching the United States might leave shorter-range weapons threatening South Korea intact, prompting debate in Seoul over its security and possible independent deterrent options.

The United States and Iran are set to hold separate talks with mediators on Monday or Tuesday, according to an official. The indirect format suggests intermediaries will shuttle between the two sides rather than direct negotiations. The development comes amid ongoing tensions over Iran's nuclear programme and regional security, with observers watching for signs of de-escalation or progress toward renewed diplomacy.

A North Korean vice foreign minister declared that the country's status as a nuclear weapon state 'cannot be reversed by anything', reaffirming Pyongyang's refusal to abandon its nuclear arsenal. The statement signals North Korea's continued rejection of denuclearisation talks and is drawing attention amid ongoing tensions over its weapons programme.

Reports describe a new nuclear age as more countries weigh acquiring or expanding nuclear options. The discussion points to shifting security concerns and weakening confidence in existing deterrence arrangements, prompting renewed debate about proliferation. Commentators are assessing what this trend could mean for global stability and arms control efforts, warning that growing interest in nuclear capability risks a wider race for such weapons.

A foreign and security policy analysis argues that living with nuclear weapons is once again a central challenge for international politics. Amid renewed great-power rivalry, eroding arms control treaties and ongoing conflicts involving nuclear-armed states, policymakers and commentators are debating how deterrence, disarmament and civilian protection can coexist in a more dangerous world.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iran would 'blackmail the world' if it acquired a nuclear weapon, reinforcing Washington's position that Tehran must never obtain one. The remark adds to ongoing tensions over Iran's nuclear programme and the future of diplomatic efforts to curb it, with officials framing the issue as a global security threat.

Iran has put forward a seven-day plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the key shipping route for global oil supplies, alongside a proposal to resume nuclear talks within the same week. The offer, reported by Al Jazeera, is drawing attention from governments and observers watching tensions in the Gulf. Details of conditions or responses from other parties remain unclear.

YLE News reports that the United Kingdom has offered Finland a nuclear umbrella, a security guarantee extending British nuclear protection to the Nordic country. Finland, which joined NATO in 2023, has sought stronger allied assurances amid concerns over Russian aggression on its border. The reported offer would deepen UK-Finnish defence cooperation.

US intelligence agencies assess that Saudi Arabia has not ruled out developing nuclear weapons. The finding points to Riyadh keeping a nuclear weapons option open, likely tied to regional concerns over Iran's nuclear programme. It is drawing attention amid ongoing debate about proliferation in the Middle East and US-Saudi security cooperation.

US national security adviser Mike Waltz says a rejected nuclear proposal showed Iran wanted sanctions relief up front while offering little in return. Iranian officials dispute that account, insisting their counterproposals were balanced. The disagreement highlights the widening gap between Washington and Tehran as diplomacy stalls over sequencing of concessions.

US national security adviser Mike Waltz says President Trump will keep 'all options on the table' to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. The statement underscores the administration's hard line on Tehran's nuclear programme, leaving open the possibility of both diplomatic and military measures as tensions over Iran's nuclear ambitions continue.

China and the United States have reached an eight-point consensus that includes opposition to Iran acquiring nuclear weapons and to tolls on key waterways. The rare alignment between the two powers signals shared concern over regional stability and freedom of navigation, and is drawing attention to how far Beijing and Washington can cooperate on Middle East security issues.

Saudi Arabia is signalling that it has not ruled out developing nuclear weapons, according to a report carried by the Daily Observer. The kingdom has long said its nuclear programme depends on regional security, particularly in relation to Iran. The report does not provide further detail on the policy.

Saudi Arabia is signaling that it could be open to developing nuclear weapons, according to a New York Times report on US-Saudi relations. The statement marks a notable shift in rhetoric from the kingdom, which has long said its nuclear program is for civilian purposes only. The news is drawing attention amid wider debates over nuclear proliferation in the Middle East and the future of American security guarantees to Riyadh.

A new report says Iran will not make concessions on its nuclear programme even if the United States accepts a plan concerning the Strait of Hormuz. The claim underscores the gap between Tehran and Washington, with Iran separating shipping-security negotiations from its nuclear file and signalling no softening on enrichment or related demands despite ongoing diplomatic contacts.

Lithuania has begun moves to lift its ban on nuclear weapons on its territory, with the argument summed up as 'Russians do not attack the strong'. The push reflects growing alarm in the Baltic state over Russian aggression and doubts that NATO's existing deterrence is enough. Debate is expected over whether hosting nuclear arms would strengthen or undermine the country's security.

Cyprus Mail reports that Turkey is discussing nuclear deterrence as the war involving Iran continues. The debate touches on whether Ankara should consider its own nuclear options or security guarantees at a time of heightened regional instability. Details of who is backing the discussion and what concrete steps may follow remain limited, but the topic signals how the Iran conflict is reshaping security thinking in the region.

Defence analysts argue that a Chinese attempt to seize Taiwan could prompt Japan to abandon its non-nuclear posture and develop nuclear weapons. Commentary published by RealClearDefense and ASPI's Strategist suggests such a move would be, as the headline puts it, 'revolting for the CCP', since a nuclear-armed Japan would fundamentally alter Beijing's security calculations and regional power balance.

Donald Trump declared that Iran's nuclear threat is 'wiped out', in comments carried by multiple news outlets. The remark refers to the state of Iran's nuclear capabilities following US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities earlier in the year, a claim that continues to draw scrutiny from analysts and questions over whether Iran's program has truly been destroyed.

France has carried out a simulation of a nuclear strike, according to a report by Militarnyi. The exercise tested the country's nuclear deterrent capabilities, though details on the scenario, timing and forces involved remain limited. Nuclear drill preparations by France draw attention amid heightened global tensions and renewed focus on nuclear deterrence in Europe.

Former US national security adviser Keith Kellogg, speaking on Fox Business's Varney & Company, warned that a nuclear-armed Iran would cause total destabilization of the Middle East. He argued that preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons remains a central security priority, remarks likely to feed into ongoing debate over US policy toward Iran and its nuclear program.

France has carried out Operation Poker, a long-running exercise in which Rafale fighter jets rehearse a nuclear strike mission using simulated ASMP-A air-launched missiles. The drill tests the French Air and Space Force and Navy's ability to deliver the country's deterrent under realistic conditions. Coverage is explaining how the operation works and what it signals about France's nuclear posture.

JP Morgan says Europe's push to expand data centre capacity for AI is driving fresh investment in nuclear energy across the EU. The bloc is betting on nuclear power to meet surging electricity demand from data centres while pursuing decarbonisation and energy security goals, with the bank expecting the trend to trigger a wider nuclear energy boom.

Commentary in Internationale Politik Quarterly argues that while deterrence has become the organising principle of Western security policy amid nuclear tensions, arms control diplomacy still matters. The piece warns that abandoning negotiations and treaties with rivals would leave Europe and the United States with fewer tools to manage escalation risks.