US faces pressure over Israel's nuclear ambiguity policy
American lawmakers are questioning the long-standing arrangement of official silence regarding Israel's suspected nuclear capabilities.
The United States is facing increasing scrutiny over its position regarding Israel's nuclear programme, according to a report by the Times of India. For over six decades, Israel has maintained a policy of neither confirming nor denying the possession of nuclear weapons, a stance Washington has historically avoided challenging publicly.
During a June congressional hearing, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that while most of the world believes Israel possesses nuclear capabilities, neither country has made an official public acknowledgement. Rubio added that Washington does not include the matter in its foreign policy discussions.
Democratic Congressman Joaquin Castro, a member of the House foreign affairs and intelligence committees, told CNN that the policy of ambiguity is now "reckless and dangerous". Castro questioned how the US can fight alongside Israel against Iran without understanding its nuclear red lines or contingency plans.
On May 4, more than two dozen Democratic lawmakers, led by Castro, sent a letter to Rubio requesting information on Israel's nuclear capabilities and potential use of such weapons. The group warned that the risks of escalation and nuclear use are not theoretical in the current environment.
The historical arrangement dates back to a 1969 understanding between President Richard Nixon and Prime Minister Golda Meir. Under this agreement, Israel would not publicly declare or test nuclear weapons, while Washington would refrain from publicly challenging Israel's nuclear status.
Israel has not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The UK House of Commons Library estimates that Israel's arsenal consists of approximately 90 warheads.
