For more than six decades, the United States has followed a policy of silence regarding Israel’s nuclear arsenal, avoiding public confirmation that their ally in the Middle East possesses such weapons.
However, this approach is increasingly being questioned at a time when the Iran war has turned to the risk of spreading nuclear weapons in the region.
Israel has never officially admitted to possessing nuclear weapons, but never denied it. This policy is known as nuclear inequity and has enabled the country to maintain such an arsenal, without facing international pressure that would bring public confirmation.
However, international estimates suggest that Israel may have about 90 nuclear heads. The centre of his nuclear programme is believed to be the target of Dimona, in the Negewi Desert, which for decades has been kept out of public attention.
American silence policy dates back to 1960, when officials in Washington had concluded that Israel was developing nuclear weapons. Instead of trying to stop the programme, the US administration chose to avoid confrontation with its ally and publicly not confirm the existence of the arsenal.
This approach is again being questioned at the U.S. Congress. At a hearing session in June, lawmaker Joachim Castro asked US Secretary of State Marco Rubio if Israel owns nuclear weapons, writes Chan.
Rubio did not give an official confirmation, but acknowledged that, according to most countries’ estimates, Israel owns them. He stressed that Israel itself has not publicly accepted this fact and that Washington does not treat it as a confirmed clue.
Castro warned that this policy is becoming increasingly dangerous, especially in conditions where the US is involved in war alongside Israel. According to him, public opinion does not have a clear mirror on Israel’s red lines in terms of possible use of nuclear weapons and its response if Israeli nuclear facilities are attacked.
The issue also relates to Iran’s nuclear ambitions and the possibility of other countries in the region following the same path. Saudi Arabia has warned earlier that it would develop nuclear weapons if something like that provided by Iran.
A possible nuclear agreement between Washington and Riyadh, which could pave Saudi Arabia’s way for enriching uranium, is increasing concerns about a new arms race in the Middle East.
Thus, the war with Iran and debate at the U.S. Congress are testing a policy that has survived for decades. Whether Washington will continue to avoid public confirmation of the Israeli arsenal, or will be forced to change its stance, it remains unclear. /Telegraphy/