Rubio Confirms Global Belief in Israel's Nuclear Arsenal

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged during a congressional hearing that most of the world believes Israel possesses nuclear weapons. When questioned by Representative Joaquin Castro about the existence of Israel’s nuclear program, Rubio stated, "Most of the world assesses that they do," referring to the widely held belief in Israel's undeclared nuclear arsenal. However, Rubio reiterated the official US policy of not acknowledging or discussing this issue publicly.

Castro pressed Rubio on why the State Department would not provide more direct information about Israel’s nuclear capabilities, expressing concern over potential risks and lack of transparency. Rubio explained that while suspicions exist based on open-source reporting and other intelligence, both Israel and the United States maintain a stance of non-confirmation to preserve diplomatic flexibility and ongoing military aid. This ambiguity has allowed successive US administrations to circumvent the Symington Amendment, which restricts military assistance to countries involved in nuclear proliferation outside international safeguards.

The debate highlights broader concerns about regional stability and arms control. Unlike Iran, which is a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and has issued religious edicts against developing nuclear weapons, Israel’s status as an undeclared nuclear power complicates discussions on disarmament and security in the Middle East. This situation underscores the complex dynamics of international relations and arms control efforts in the region.