non-proliferation

A US assessment warns that Saudi Arabia could still seek nuclear weapons despite ongoing diplomatic engagement with Washington. The finding raises questions about the future of non-proliferation in the Gulf, especially as Riyadh continues to insist it would match any Iranian nuclear capability. Analysts say the warning could complicate efforts to conclude a US-Saudi defence and normalisation package.

US intelligence assessment says Saudi Arabia has not ruled out acquiring nuclear weapons, according to a report carried by Gulf News. The finding highlights lingering questions over the kingdom's nuclear ambitions and its response to regional rival Iran's nuclear programme. Observers are weighing what this means for US-Saudi relations and for non-proliferation efforts in the Middle East.

The United States has accused China of conducting secret nuclear weapons tests, raising fears of a new nuclear arms race between the two powers. The claim intensifies tensions in an already fraught strategic relationship, with concerns growing that both countries could resume explosive testing or expand arsenals. Arms control advocates warn the standoff undermines global non-proliferation efforts.

Iran's parliament is preparing a bill for the country to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The move would mark a major escalation in Tehran's long-running dispute with the West over its nuclear programme, and is drawing attention amid renewed tensions over inspections and sanctions.

Kazakhstan's record of nuclear diplomacy is being put forward as a possible model for resolving the standoff over Iran's uranium stockpile. Commentary highlights Astana's history of denuclearization and arms control mediation, arguing it offers rare lessons as negotiations over Iran's enriched uranium face mounting technical and political hurdles. The discussion comes amid stalled non-proliferation efforts and renewed concern over Tehran's nuclear programme.

US intelligence agencies say they do not rule out that Saudi Arabia could develop nuclear weapons, a possibility with major implications for the Middle East and global non-proliferation efforts. The assessment raises questions about regional arms races, particularly if Iran's nuclear programme advances further.

The Middle East Institute examines whether Ankara could pursue nuclear weapons in the wake of the war involving Iran. The piece explores how a weakened Iranian deterrence and regional insecurity may reshape Turkey's strategic calculus, long balancing between NATO membership and indigenous defence ambitions, and what that would mean for non-proliferation efforts.

Commentary in Turkey and the region is revisiting whether Ankara should pursue nuclear weapons now that the conflict involving Iran has reshaped security calculations in the Middle East. The debate weighs Turkey's NATO membership and non-proliferation commitments against fears that a regional arms race could follow the Iran war. Analysts remain divided on whether Ankara's calculus has genuinely shifted.

Thirty-two former Iranian officials have issued a call demanding that Iran immediately withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The appeal, reported by the outlet IranWire, marks a rare public statement by former insiders urging a break with the international nuclear framework. The officials' names and exact arguments were not detailed in the available reporting.

Iranian diplomat Kazem Gharibabadi said nuclear disarmament cannot be achieved while Israel is granted immunity, arguing that a state widely believed to possess undeclared nuclear weapons cannot be exempted from non-proliferation obligations. His remarks align with Tehran's long-standing criticism of the global non-proliferation regime, which it says applies double standards in the Middle East.

New quantum sensor technology is enabling significantly more accurate monitoring of nuclear activities, according to a report in the scientific press. The sensors offer improved precision for detecting and measuring nuclear materials, with potential applications in arms control verification, non-proliferation efforts and nuclear facility inspections. The development points to growing practical uses of quantum technology in sensitive security and regulatory fields.

Japan's Foreign Ministry held a missile non-proliferation workshop focused on the Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCOC), paired with a site visit to the Hokkaido Spaceport. The event brought together participants to discuss norms against ballistic missile proliferation while showcasing Japan's commercial space launch facilities, linking arms-control diplomacy with the country's growing space sector.

Iran is reportedly debating withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty as its nuclear programme enters what observers call a critical phase. Satellite imagery is said to show ongoing activity at known nuclear sites, and the prospect of Tehran abandoning the treaty is drawing international concern over potential escalation.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is being discussed in coverage questioning a US nuclear double standard, with commentary arguing that Trump's friendly stance toward Kim contrasts sharply with Washington's hard line on Iran's nuclear programme. The debate focuses on why one nuclear-armed leader is treated as a negotiating partner while another faces pressure and threats, reigniting criticism of US non-proliferation policy.

The documentary '67 Bombs' is set for theatrical release following a screening in Geneva. The film, which takes its title from the nuclear warheads associated with Israel's alleged arsenal, is drawing attention amid ongoing global debate over nuclear weapons and non-proliferation. Geneva, home to key disarmament negotiations, provided a fitting stage for its premiere.

Commentary in The Korea Times argues that Donald Trump applies a double standard on nuclear weapons, condemning some countries' nuclear ambitions while tolerating or encouraging others. The piece frames this inconsistency as a problem for non-proliferation efforts and for America's credibility as an arbiter of who may possess atomic arms.

Commentary argues that three consecutive review conferences of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty have ended without agreement, raising questions about the future of the nuclear rules-based order. The piece suggests states may increasingly rely on security alliances and deterrence rather than treaty frameworks, as geopolitical tensions erode consensus on disarmament and non-proliferation commitments.

Scientists at a nuclear research gathering presented additional talks on a range of nuclear topics, including plutonium production in fast reactors, the effects of nuclear war on water cycles, measurements at nuclear weapon test sites, remote detection of tests, and sustainability linked to nuclear non-proliferation. The breadth of subjects highlights ongoing research connecting nuclear technology, weapons monitoring and non-proliferation policy.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has drawn a distinction between India and Iran regarding the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, speaking amid the ongoing West Asia conflict. His remarks underline New Delhi's position that India, which remains outside the NPT, is a responsible nuclear power, setting its case apart from Iran's disputed nuclear programme as regional tensions escalate.

Iran's potential withdrawal from the Non-Proliferation Treaty is being weighed as part of a revised security doctrine following military attacks on its nuclear facilities. Discussion centres on whether Tehran should abandon the treaty threshold altogether and adopt nuclear deterrence as an explicit policy, marking a shift from strategic ambiguity to open debate over the country's post-attack defence posture.

Thomas Graham Jr., one of the leading American nuclear arms negotiators of the post-Cold War era, has died at the age of 92, according to an announcement by the Arms Control Association. Graham spent decades in the State Department helping shape key nonproliferation agreements, including work on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, and was widely regarded as a central figure in U.S. arms control policy. Tributes are honoring his legacy in nuclear diplomacy.

Iran's nuclear program remains clouded in uncertainty as the country's leadership reportedly debates abandoning the Non-Proliferation Treaty. The debate over withdrawal raises concerns among international observers about expanded nuclear activity and a further loss of transparency over Tehran's atomic facilities, at a time when access and verification are already limited.

Debate in Iran over the future of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty is no longer confined to parliament, according to reporting by The Cradle. The discussion is widening beyond lawmakers, reflecting a broader national conversation about Iran's nuclear commitments at a sensitive time for the country's nuclear file.

The US Senate has secured a vote on a proposed nuclear agreement between the Trump administration and Saudi Arabia. The measure would allow lawmakers to weigh in on civilian nuclear cooperation with Riyadh, a deal that has drawn scrutiny over non-proliferation safeguards and regional politics, particularly Israel's stance and concerns about nuclear technology spreading in the Middle East.

A retired senior South African naval officer, described as the country's first female admiral, has said South Africa needs nuclear weapons capable of threatening the United States. Her comments have drawn widespread attention and debate, with many questioning the practicality of reviving a nuclear programme given South Africa dismantled its arsenal in the early 1990s and remains a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

The Kremlin says Russia opposes Iran withdrawing from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, signalling Moscow's unease as tensions over Iran's nuclear programme intensify. Russia, which maintains close ties with Tehran and backs its 2015 nuclear deal restoration, is urging Iran to remain within the treaty framework. The statement highlights the diplomatic pressure on Iran as Western concerns grow over its nuclear activities and possible escalation.

A debate inside Iran over withdrawing from the Non-Proliferation Treaty is intensifying, and the Kremlin has publicly warned Tehran against such a step. Russia's intervention underscores Moscow's stake in keeping Iran bound to the nuclear non-proliferation regime, while the discussion in Iran reflects growing pressure over its nuclear programme. The exchange highlights rising diplomatic tension around the future of Iran's nuclear commitments.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson said that as a member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Iran must be able to benefit from the provisions of the agreement. The statement underlines Tehran's long-standing position that membership in the treaty carries rights as well as obligations, a point of recurring tension with Western governments over sanctions and nuclear negotiations.

China has called on Japan to fulfill its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and abandon any nuclear ambitions. The appeal, reported by Chinese state media, comes amid ongoing regional tensions and scrutiny of Japan's nuclear policy as the only country to have suffered atomic bombings. The statement underscores Beijing's pressure on Tokyo over non-proliferation commitments.

A reported deal between the United States and Saudi Arabia is raising concerns among nuclear experts and industry observers about nuclear proliferation in the Middle East. Coverage, including in nuclear engineering publications, focuses on whether the agreement could enable Saudi nuclear ambitions without strict non-proliferation safeguards, at a time when regional tensions remain high.

Vietnam has called on nuclear-armed states to engage in dialogue as a way to reduce the risk of nuclear conflict. The appeal, reported by Vietnamese state media, reflects the country's long-standing position on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. Hanoi is urging major powers to prioritise diplomacy and confidence-building to lower global nuclear dangers.

The Kremlin has stated that Russia does not want Iran to withdraw from the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The statement comes amid heightened tensions over Iran's nuclear programme, and signals Moscow's position that Tehran should remain within the international non-proliferation framework despite growing pressure on the Iranian nuclear file.

Russia has come out against Iran withdrawing from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, according to Asharq Al-Awsat. The position matters because Iran has threatened to leave the treaty as tensions with the West over its nuclear programme escalate, and Moscow's stance signals it wants Tehran to remain within the global non-proliferation framework despite their close ties.

Donald Trump has defended North Korea's right to possess nuclear weapons, according to reports carried by Australian outlets including the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. The comments, attributed to the US president, mark a striking departure from longstanding American policy that has sought to prevent Pyongyang from developing or retaining a nuclear arsenal, and are drawing international attention.

Donald Trump has explained his position that North Korea can keep its nuclear weapons while Iran cannot, calling North Korean leader Kim Jong-un 'a friend of mine'. The remarks underline his longstanding personal approach to Kim, in contrast to his hard line on Iran's nuclear programme, and are drawing attention to the inconsistency critics see in US non-proliferation policy toward the two countries.

A new Request for Applications has been announced under the Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Security Grant Program, inviting non-governmental organisations to apply for funding. The program supports projects working on arms control, reducing nuclear and other weapons threats, and strengthening international security frameworks. NGOs active in peace and security work are expected to review the eligibility criteria and deadlines.

Reports say Tehran is considering withdrawing from the Non-Proliferation Treaty while insisting it will continue enriching uranium, raising fears that Iran may be moving closer to building its first nuclear weapon. The discussion centres on how far Iran's nuclear programme has advanced and what consequences an NPT exit would have for regional security and diplomacy.

The Kremlin has stated it does not want Iran to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, a rare public position from Moscow on Tehran's nuclear commitments. The comments come amid heightened international concern over Iran's nuclear programme and speculation that it could scale back cooperation with global watchdogs.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said Japan should be urged to strictly abide by its Three Non-Nuclear Principles, the longstanding policy of not producing, possessing or allowing nuclear weapons on Japanese territory. The remarks come amid ongoing debate over regional security and Japan's defence posture, with Beijing pressing Tokyo to keep its commitments on nuclear non-proliferation.