Key Insights on Israel’s Nuclear Weapons Program: History, Development, and Implications.

Following Israel’s military offensive against Iran, aimed at dismantling Tehran’s nuclear capabilities, the focus has shifted to Israel’s own nuclear stockpile. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israel acted because a nuclear-armed Iran would pose a serious threat to the nation. Despite these claims, U.S. assessments regarding Iran’s nuclear program remain largely unchanged, emphasizing that Iran possesses enriched uranium but has not made a conclusive move towards weaponization. Interestingly, the discourse often overlooks Israel’s nuclear capabilities.

Although it is widely assumed that Israel maintains a nuclear arsenal, the country has historically maintained a stance of “opacity” regarding its nuclear status. Jeffrey Lewis, a nuclear expert, suggested that a more fitting descriptor for this situation might be “implausible deniability.” Israel, unlike Iran, is a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency but has not signed the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). This treaty, effective since 1970, aims to prevent the proliferation of nuclear arms.

Estimates suggest that Israel possesses about 90 nuclear weapons, but due to its policy of ambiguity, the true extent of its capabilities remains elusive. The origins of Israel’s nuclear ambitions can be traced back to its establishment in 1948, driven by a need for security post-Holocaust. Historical documents reveal an understanding that Israel would not be the first to wield nuclear weapons in the region. However, the revelation by Mordechai Vanunu, a former employee at Israel’s Dimona reactor, brought the country’s nuclear secrets to light, challenging its policy of strategic ambiguity.

Experts assert that the lack of transparency in Israel’s nuclear program complicates efforts to promote nuclear energy’s peaceful use across the region. They warn that Israel’s recent strikes may not deter Iran but instead provoke a renewed drive for nuclear capability within that nation, leading to increased instability in the Middle East.