The rising conflict between Israel and Iran has sparked urgent calls for Australia to push the United States to act responsibly and help avoid nuclear disaster. The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), a Nobel prize-winning group, warns that the situation is a frightening reminder of how close the world remains to a nuclear crisis.
ICAN says Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites break international law. These attacks could lead to radioactive pollution that harms human health and the environment for years to come. Gem Romuld, ICAN’s Australian director, said the danger of radiation leaks and the weakening of global nuclear rules show the deadly risk of nuclear weapons today.
“The world must urgently de-escalate tensions and return to talks,” Romuld said. “Australia should call on its allies, especially the US, to act with care and stop supporting this cycle of violence.”
Israel is the only country in the Middle East believed to have nuclear weapons. It is thought to hold about 90 nuclear warheads, though it has never confirmed this. Israel is not part of the global nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT). Israeli officials say their strikes on Iranian nuclear sites are legal and needed to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
Iran, a party to the NPT, has previously called for a nuclear-free zone in the Middle East but now threatens to leave the treaty. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Iran’s nuclear program is peaceful. He said Iran wants to restart diplomacy, but only if attacks stop and those responsible are held accountable.
Worldwide, the nuclear threat is growing. For decades, the number of nuclear weapons dismantled was higher than new ones built. This caused a slow decrease in total warheads. But recent data shows this trend is ending. The pace of dismantling weapons is slowing down, while new nuclear arms are being built faster.
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reports there are currently 12,241 nuclear warheads in the world. Of these, 9,614 remain in military stockpiles, and 3,912 are ready on missiles or aircraft. About 2,100 warheads are kept on high alert.
Hans M Kristensen of SIPRI warns, “The era of reducing nuclear weapons since the Cold War is ending. We now see rising nuclear stockpiles, harsher nuclear threats, and fewer arms control deals.”
In Australia, the Labor government has promised since 2022 to ratify the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). However, it has not yet done so. Officials say they are carefully reviewing the treaty as part of their plan to promote nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.
Globally, 94 countries have signed the TPNW, and 73 have ratified it. But no nuclear-armed nations have joined the treaty.
The growing tensions in the Middle East and the worldwide nuclear buildup make it vital for Australia to press its allies for calm and responsible action. The risk of a nuclear disaster, many experts warn, is closer than ever.
