In 2020, a US&nbsp;naval engineer and his wife made the fateful decision to try to sell some of America’s most closely guarded military secrets, the technology behind the nuclear reactors that power the US&nbsp;submarine fleet.

Then the couple faced another choice: To which foreign government should they try to peddle the stolen secrets?

The engineer appeared to believe that soliciting US&nbsp;adversaries like Russia or China was, morally, a bridge too far, according to text messages released in court. Instead, Jonathan and Diana Toebbe thought of a country that was rich enough to buy the secrets, not hostile to the United States and, most importantly, increasingly eager to acquire the technology they were selling: Brazil.

The identity of the nation approached by the Toebbes has until now remained shielded by federal prosecutors and other government officials. But, according to a senior Brazilian official and other people briefed on the investigation, Jonathan Toebbe approached Brazil nearly two years ago with an offer of thousands of pages of classified documents about nuclear reactors that he had stolen from the US&nbsp;Navy Yard in Washington over the course of several years.

The plan backfired almost as soon as it began. After Jonathan Toebbe sent a letter offering the secrets to Brazil’s military intelligence agency in April 2020, Brazilian officials handed the letter over to the FBI legal attaché in the country.

Then, beginning in December 2020, an FBI undercover agent posed as a Brazilian official to win Jonathan Toebbe’s trust and persuade him to deposit documents in a location chosen by investigators. Jonathan Toebbe eventually agreed to provide documents and offered technical assistance to Brazil’s nuclear submarine program, using classified information he had learned from years working for the U.S. Navy.

Jonathan and Diana Toebbe, who lived in Annapolis, Maryland, were arrested in October and pleaded guilty to espionage charges last month. He faces up to 17 1/2 years in prison; she faces up to three.

The White House, Justice Department and FBI declined to comment.

Jonathan Toebbe’s public defender has said government rules prevent him from answering questions. A lawyer for Diana Toebbe declined to discuss the case before her sentencing, set for August.

In 2020, a US naval engineer and his wife made the fateful decision to try to sell some of America’s most closely guarded military secrets, the technology behind the nuclear reactors that power the US submarine fleet.

In 2020, a US naval engineer and his wife made the fateful decision to try to sell some of America’s most closely guarded military secrets, the technology behind the nuclear reactors that power the US submarine fleet. Then the couple faced another choice: To which foreign government should they try to peddle the stolen secrets? The engineer appeared to believe that soliciting US adversaries like Russia or China was, morally, a bridge too far, according to text messages released in court. Instead, Jonathan and Diana Toebbe thought of a country that was rich enough to buy the secrets, not hostile to the United States and, most importantly, increasingly eager to acquire the technology they were selling: Brazil. The identity of the nation approached by the Toebbes has until now remained shielded by federal prosecutors and other government officials. But, according to a senior Brazilian official and other people briefed on the investigation, Jonathan Toebbe approached Brazil nearly two years ago with an offer of thousands of pages of classified documents about nuclear reactors that he had stolen from the US Navy Yard in Washington over the course of several years. The plan backfired almost as soon as it began. After Jonathan Toebbe sent a letter offering the secrets to Brazil’s military intelligence agency in April 2020, Brazilian officials handed the letter over to the FBI legal attaché in the country. Then, beginning in December 2020, an FBI undercover agent posed as a Brazilian official to win Jonathan Toebbe’s trust and persuade him to deposit documents in a location chosen by investigators. Jonathan Toebbe eventually agreed to provide documents and offered technical assistance to Brazil’s nuclear submarine program, using classified information he had learned from years working for the U.S. Navy. Jonathan and Diana Toebbe, who lived in Annapolis, Maryland, were arrested in October and pleaded guilty to espionage charges last month. He faces up to 17 1/2 years in prison; she faces up to three. The White House, Justice Department and FBI declined to comment. Jonathan Toebbe’s public defender has said government rules prevent him from answering questions. A lawyer for Diana Toebbe declined to discuss the case before her sentencing, set for August.

Submarine spy couple tried to sell nuclear secrets to Brazil

Talks to revive the Iran nuclear deal resumed today. But the negotiations ended in one hour. Tehran is playing hardball - and using its nuclear program as a bargaining chip. But, can Iran really make a nuclear bomb? Palki Sharma brings you a report.

Gravitas: Can Iran really make a nuclear bomb?

Diplomats are back at the table for Iran nuclear talks, they went on a deal. But are they willing to make a concession for it? The Iranians want all sanctions lifted while the Americans say, we don't trust your intentions.

Diplomats back at the table for Iran nuclear talks

Today in history: USSR detonates nuclear bomb, Annie Frank deported and more

Iran agreed to allow the UN nuclear watchdog to install new memory cards into surveillance cameras at its sensitive nuclear sites. The announcement was made by the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) after a meeting with the director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Iran allows IAEA to service nuclear monitoring cameras after talks

On the fateful day of&nbsp;August&nbsp;9, 1945, the Japanese city of Nagasaki, a major port for trade faced unfathomable devastation at the hands of the US, thus putting an end to Japan's participation in the Second World War.&nbsp;

Today's anniversary

76 years ago today, the Japanese city of Nagasaki was destroyed by an atomic bomb, and today, its mayor called on the global community to build on the new nuclear ban treaty.

With the rebuilding of Nagasaki post World War II, the city has become a spiritual centre for movements for the ban of nuclear weapons.

The ceremony is the first since an international treaty banning nuclear weapons went into effect last year.

"World leaders must commit to nuclear arms reductions and build trust through dialogue, and civil society must push them in this direction,"&nbsp;Nagasaki&nbsp;mayor Tomihisa Taue said.

<img alt="Doves fly during a memorial service for victims of the US atomic bombing at the Nagasaki Peace Park in Nagasaki on August 9, 2021, as the city marks the 76th anniversary of the bombing." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="55145c04-63df-4aa5-9d08-155d3ab2fdd9" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202021-08-09T163231.004.jpg" />

Doves fly during a memorial service for victims of the US atomic bombing at the Nagasaki Peace Park in Nagasaki on August 9, 2021, as the city marks the 76th anniversary of the bombing.&nbsp;(Source:AFP)

"As the only country that has suffered atomic bombings during the war, it is our unchanging mission to steadily advance the efforts of the&nbsp;international community, step by step, towards realisation of a world free of nuclear weapons," Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said at the ceremony.&nbsp;&nbsp;

So, what exactly happened that day?

Just three days earlier the city of Hiroshima had faced destruction, an atomic bomb code-named "Little boy" had brought devastation to the picturesque city resulting in the death of thousands.&nbsp;

On June 9th 1945, the city of Nagasaki faced the same fate, situated&nbsp;some 185 miles southwest of Hiroshima, at 11:02 am,&nbsp;another American bomber dropped its payload over Nagasaki. Between 60,000 and 80,000 people died in the bombing. Codenamed 'Fat Man'; it obliterated more than 30 per cent of Nagasaki.&nbsp;

<img alt="This file photo taken in 1945 next to the Urakami river in Nagasaki shows a wrecked brick wall and a &quot;Mitsubishi&quot; steel factory after a bombing by the US Air Force. " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0ebc9bed-014e-41b1-b656-d5a9f85741f0" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202021-08-09T163648.829.jpg" />

This file photo taken in 1945 next to the Urakami river in Nagasaki shows a wrecked brick wall and a "Mitsubishi" steel factory after a bombing by the US Air Force.&nbsp;(Source:AFP)

Why did the US resort to atomic bombs?&nbsp;

Japan's surrender was America's immediate objective, followed by ending World War II and avoiding further casualties for the Allies.&nbsp;

It is also believed that the superpower wanted to demonstrate its new technology's incredibly destructive capabilities to the world, and in particular to the Soviet Union.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Why was Nagasaki targeted?

During the early 20th century, Nagasaki developed into a major shipbuilding city, which led the United States to target the city as a target for the atomic bomb dropped on Japan during World War II.

How many people actually died in this "massacre"?&nbsp;

<img alt="This filed photo dated 1945 shows the devastated city of Nagasaki after an atomic bomb was dropped by a US Air Force B-29 on August 9, 1945." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0eb4d708-d7c9-4f87-86e4-7152c85de918" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202021-08-09T163637.586.jpg" />

This filed photo dated 1945 shows the devastated city of Nagasaki after an atomic bomb was dropped by a US Air Force B-29 on August 9, 1945. (Source:AFP)

Unfortunately, it is extremely difficult to calculate exact figures, as many records were destroyed by the bomb, and the destruction of the area prevented accurate counts of casualties. Nonetheless, they estimate some 40,000 people died within seconds of the attack, with many more dying from radiation exposure, burns, or injuries within months.

(With inputs from agencies)

On the fateful day of August 9, 1945, the Japanese city of Nagasaki, a major port for trade faced unfathomable devastation at the hands of the US, thus putting an end to Japan's participation in the Second World War.

On the fateful day of August 9, 1945, the Japanese city of Nagasaki, a major port for trade faced unfathomable devastation at the hands of the US, thus putting an end to Japan's participation in the Second World War. Today's anniversary 76 years ago today, the Japanese city of Nagasaki was destroyed by an atomic bomb, and today, its mayor called on the global community to build on the new nuclear ban treaty. With the rebuilding of Nagasaki post World War II, the city has become a spiritual centre for movements for the ban of nuclear weapons. The ceremony is the first since an international treaty banning nuclear weapons went into effect last year. "World leaders must commit to nuclear arms reductions and build trust through dialogue, and civil society must push them in this direction," Nagasaki mayor Tomihisa Taue said. Doves fly during a memorial service for victims of the US atomic bombing at the Nagasaki Peace Park in Nagasaki on August 9, 2021, as the city marks the 76th anniversary of the bombing. (Source:AFP) "As the only country that has suffered atomic bombings during the war, it is our unchanging mission to steadily advance the efforts of the international community, step by step, towards realisation of a world free of nuclear weapons," Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said at the ceremony. So, what exactly happened that day? Just three days earlier the city of Hiroshima had faced destruction, an atomic bomb code-named "Little boy" had brought devastation to the picturesque city resulting in the death of thousands. On June 9th 1945, the city of Nagasaki faced the same fate, situated some 185 miles southwest of Hiroshima, at 11:02 am, another American bomber dropped its payload over Nagasaki. Between 60,000 and 80,000 people died in the bombing. Codenamed 'Fat Man'; it obliterated more than 30 per cent of Nagasaki. This file photo taken in 1945 next to the Urakami river in Nagasaki shows a wrecked brick wall and a "Mitsubishi" steel factory after a bombing by the US Air Force. (Source:AFP) Why did the US resort to atomic bombs? Japan's surrender was America's immediate objective, followed by ending World War II and avoiding further casualties for the Allies. It is also believed that the superpower wanted to demonstrate its new technology's incredibly destructive capabilities to the world, and in particular to the Soviet Union. Why was Nagasaki targeted? During the early 20th century, Nagasaki developed into a major shipbuilding city, which led the United States to target the city as a target for the atomic bomb dropped on Japan during World War II. How many people actually died in this "massacre"? This filed photo dated 1945 shows the devastated city of Nagasaki after an atomic bomb was dropped by a US Air Force B-29 on August 9, 1945. (Source:AFP) Unfortunately, it is extremely difficult to calculate exact figures, as many records were destroyed by the bomb, and the destruction of the area prevented accurate counts of casualties. Nonetheless, they estimate some 40,000 people died within seconds of the attack, with many more dying from radiation exposure, burns, or injuries within months. (With inputs from agencies)

Explainer: Nagasaki bombing, the history, and significance of "Fat Man"

The chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Rafael Grossi said&nbsp; in an interview published Wednesday that the situation in Iran was “very concerning.”

He expressed alarm over Iran’s nuclear programme, spelling out his concern related to its uranium enrichment.

He said Iran is enriching uranium to levels that only countries seeking to make atomic weapons reach, and that the Islamic Republic’s nuclear programme can no longer be returned to where it stood when a landmark 2015 deal was struck with world powers.&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-natanz-nuclear-facility-hit-by-terrorist-act-376895/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

“A country enriching at 60 per cent is a very serious thing — only countries making bombs are reaching this level,” International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi said in an interview with the Financial Times published on Wednesday and cited by the Reuters News Agency.

“Sixty per cent is almost weapons-grade, commercial enrichment is 2, 3 [per cent],” he said. “This is a degree that requires a vigilant eye.”&nbsp;

“You cannot put the genie back into the bottle — once you know how to do stuff, you know, and the only way to check this is through verification,” he said, referring to checks by UN monitors.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Rafael Grossi said in an interview published Wednesday that the situation in Iran was “very concerning.

The chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Rafael Grossi said in an interview published Wednesday that the situation in Iran was “very concerning.” He expressed alarm over Iran’s nuclear programme, spelling out his concern related to its uranium enrichment. He said Iran is enriching uranium to levels that only countries seeking to make atomic weapons reach, and that the Islamic Republic’s nuclear programme can no longer be returned to where it stood when a landmark 2015 deal was struck with world powers. “A country enriching at 60 per cent is a very serious thing — only countries making bombs are reaching this level,” International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi said in an interview with the Financial Times published on Wednesday and cited by the Reuters News Agency. “Sixty per cent is almost weapons-grade, commercial enrichment is 2, 3 [per cent],” he said. “This is a degree that requires a vigilant eye.” “You cannot put the genie back into the bottle — once you know how to do stuff, you know, and the only way to check this is through verification,” he said, referring to checks by UN monitors. (With inputs from agencies)

Iran’s uranium enrichment now at levels of ‘countries making bombs’: IAEA chief

It has been 75 years since the United States dropped the world's first atomic bomb on Hiroshima.&nbsp;

Has the world learnt any lessons?

Nuclear war remains the single biggest threat to humanity.

As many as 30 years ago, the Cold War ended with the US and Russia agreeing to reduce their nuclear arsenal by 90 per cent.&nbsp;

But those agreements are being discarded one by one. China is scaling up its small nuclear arsenal. US and Russia are modernising their nuclear weapons and non-nuclear nations are not happy.

The 1968 treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons allows the nuclear powers, US, Britain, China, France and Russia to maintain nuclear weapons. This has been allowed in exchange for a commitment of total nuclear disarmament.&nbsp;

In pics |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/unspeakable-horror-the-attacks-on-hiroshima-and-nagasaki-318534">'Unspeakable horror': The attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki</a>

Other nuclear states, like India, Pakistan and Israel have not signed this treaty. North Korea, a former signatory, broke away and developed nuclear warheads.&nbsp;

This treaty failed and was replaced by another agreement in 2017 prohibits building, possessing and testing of nuclear weapons. So far, only 40 countries have signed it and as a result of this, the world has 13,410 nuclear weapons.&nbsp;

The nuclear treaties are not the only deals that have been discarded.

The Trump administration has pulled out the Iran Nuclear deal in 2018. The US has exited the intermediate-range nuclear forces treaty too.&nbsp;

Now the deal, that the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty with Russia may fail if China remains adamant on not joining it. This could have serious implications as America, Russia and China hold more than 90 per cent of the world's nuclear arsenal.

Technology has brought in a new threat, faster missiles, cyber warfare and artificial intelligence.

The US and Israel have targeted Iran's nuclear program with a computer worm. Hackers in Russia have probed US nuclear plants and Chinese hackers conducted cyber espionage on the US military.

The use of AI increases the prospects of accidents and unintentional use of nuclear weapons. An automated system can make a mistake and that mistake can wipe out the world.&nbsp;

Nuclear weapons that made us suffer for decades still exists and therefore to say the war is over, would be very much an exaggeration.&nbsp;

It has been 75 years since the United States dropped the world's first atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Has the world learnt any lessons? Nuclear war remains the single biggest threat to humanity.

It has been 75 years since the United States dropped the world's first atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Has the world learnt any lessons? Nuclear war remains the single biggest threat to humanity. As many as 30 years ago, the Cold War ended with the US and Russia agreeing to reduce their nuclear arsenal by 90 per cent. But those agreements are being discarded one by one. China is scaling up its small nuclear arsenal. US and Russia are modernising their nuclear weapons and non-nuclear nations are not happy. The 1968 treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons allows the nuclear powers, US, Britain, China, France and Russia to maintain nuclear weapons. This has been allowed in exchange for a commitment of total nuclear disarmament. In pics | 'Unspeakable horror': The attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki Other nuclear states, like India, Pakistan and Israel have not signed this treaty. North Korea, a former signatory, broke away and developed nuclear warheads. This treaty failed and was replaced by another agreement in 2017 prohibits building, possessing and testing of nuclear weapons. So far, only 40 countries have signed it and as a result of this, the world has 13,410 nuclear weapons. The nuclear treaties are not the only deals that have been discarded. The Trump administration has pulled out the Iran Nuclear deal in 2018. The US has exited the intermediate-range nuclear forces treaty too. Now the deal, that the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty with Russia may fail if China remains adamant on not joining it. This could have serious implications as America, Russia and China hold more than 90 per cent of the world's nuclear arsenal. Technology has brought in a new threat, faster missiles, cyber warfare and artificial intelligence. The US and Israel have targeted Iran's nuclear program with a computer worm. Hackers in Russia have probed US nuclear plants and Chinese hackers conducted cyber espionage on the US military. The use of AI increases the prospects of accidents and unintentional use of nuclear weapons. An automated system can make a mistake and that mistake can wipe out the world. Nuclear weapons that made us suffer for decades still exists and therefore to say the war is over, would be very much an exaggeration.

75th anniversary of Hiroshima bombing: Has the world learnt any lessons?

A Hiroshima court issued a rare ruling Wednesday expanding the designation of atomic bomb survivors to include more people hit by radioactive "black rain", 75 years after the US nuclear attack on Japan at the end of World War II. 
 
The Hiroshima District Court said all 84 plaintiffs, aged from their 70s through 90s, should be granted medical benefits given to the victims of the attack, known locally as "hibakusha". 
 
After the war, the central government designated certain areas as having been significantly impacted by the bombing, and offered free medical care to those who were there at the time.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/hiroshima-high-court-overrules-go-ahead-for-restarting-nuclear-plant-near-fault-line-275510" hreflang="en">Hiroshima High Court overrules go-ahead for restarting nuclear plant near fault line</a> 
 
The plaintiffs were in areas outside that zone but that were showered in radioactive "black rain" following the August 6, 1945 attack, and argued that they suffered health effects similar to those inside the government-designated areas. 
 
"There is no irrationality in the residents' statements that they were soaked in the black rain," presiding judge Yoshiyuki Takashima told the court, according to broadcaster NHK. 
 
"Medical documents show that the residents are experiencing illnesses that are believed to have links with the atomic bomb, and that fulfil legal conditions required of hibakusha," he said. 
 
Japan offers generous healthcare for the elderly. Those who are 75 or older pay 10 percent of costs, but the case also carried symbolic value for those who have argued for years that they too suffered in the horrific attack. 
 
After the verdict was announced, a man emerged from the courthouse and unfurled a banner reading "complete victory" as plaintiffs and their supporters erupted in cheers. 
 
As of March, the central government recognised 136,682 people as hibakusha, including those who lived in Nagasaki, which was the target of the second and final atomic raid on August 9, 1945.&nbsp; 
 
Around 140,000 people were killed in the Hiroshima bombing and its aftermath, and 74,000 perished in the Nagasaki attack. Japan will hold ceremonies marking the 75th anniversary of the two bombings next week.

A Hiroshima court issued a rare ruling Wednesday expanding the designation of atomic bomb survivors to include more people hit by radioactive "black rain", 75 years after the US nuclear attack on Japan at the end of World War II.

A Hiroshima court issued a rare ruling Wednesday expanding the designation of atomic bomb survivors to include more people hit by radioactive "black rain", 75 years after the US nuclear attack on Japan at the end of World War II. The Hiroshima District Court said all 84 plaintiffs, aged from their 70s through 90s, should be granted medical benefits given to the victims of the attack, known locally as "hibakusha". After the war, the central government designated certain areas as having been significantly impacted by the bombing, and offered free medical care to those who were there at the time. Also read: Hiroshima High Court overrules go-ahead for restarting nuclear plant near fault line The plaintiffs were in areas outside that zone but that were showered in radioactive "black rain" following the August 6, 1945 attack, and argued that they suffered health effects similar to those inside the government-designated areas. "There is no irrationality in the residents' statements that they were soaked in the black rain," presiding judge Yoshiyuki Takashima told the court, according to broadcaster NHK. "Medical documents show that the residents are experiencing illnesses that are believed to have links with the atomic bomb, and that fulfil legal conditions required of hibakusha," he said. Japan offers generous healthcare for the elderly. Those who are 75 or older pay 10 percent of costs, but the case also carried symbolic value for those who have argued for years that they too suffered in the horrific attack. After the verdict was announced, a man emerged from the courthouse and unfurled a banner reading "complete victory" as plaintiffs and their supporters erupted in cheers. As of March, the central government recognised 136,682 people as hibakusha, including those who lived in Nagasaki, which was the target of the second and final atomic raid on August 9, 1945. Around 140,000 people were killed in the Hiroshima bombing and its aftermath, and 74,000 perished in the Nagasaki attack. Japan will hold ceremonies marking the 75th anniversary of the two bombings next week.

Japan court recognises more Hiroshima bomb survivors

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un has said that his country's nuclear weapons are a security guarantee and “reliable, effective” deterrent that could prevent a second Korean War, state media reported Tuesday.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-declares-emergency-in-border-town-over-first-suspected-covid-19-case-316097" hreflang="en">North Korea declares emergency in border town over first suspected COVID-19 case</a>

The North Korean dictator made these comments ahead of the 67th anniversary of the end of the 1950-53 Korean War hinting that he has no intentions of abandoning the weapons to resume diplomacy with the United States.

Previously, the country ratcheted up fiery rhetoric or conducted weapons tests to wrest outside concessions, however, some experts believe that North Korea will avoid serious talks with the Americans before the US presidential elections in November as there is a chance for a US leadership change.

According to the Korean Central News Agency, Kim said that his country has tried to become “a nuclear state” with “an absolute might” to prevent another war and that it has now built such a deterrent during his speech on Monday. 4

“Now, we’ve changed to a country which can defend itself reliably and unwaveringly against high-intensity pressures and military threats and blackmailing by imperialistic reactionaries and hostile forces,” Kim said.

“There won’t be any war on this land again and our national security and future will be guaranteed firmly and permanently because of our reliable, effective self-defensive nuclear deterrent,” Kim said.

After the speech, both North Korean and US officials passed remarks saying that they were reluctant to engage in a new round of diplomacy on the North’s nuclear program anytime soon.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had said President Donald Trump would only want to engage with Kim if there were real prospects of progress. Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump met three times after the North Korean leader expressed his intent to deal away his advancing nuclear arsenals. Many experts were doubtful that Kim’s commitment disarm his weapons and said he only aimed to weaken US-led sanctions and perfect his nuclear program.

Both leaders last met in February 2019, when diplomacy talks failed in Vietnam and no agreement was signed because Trump rejected Kim’s proposal to get extensive sanctions relief in return for a limited denuclearization step.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un has said that his country's nuclear weapons are a security guarantee and “reliable, effective” deterrent that could prevent a second Korean War, state media reported Tuesday.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un has said that his country's nuclear weapons are a security guarantee and “reliable, effective” deterrent that could prevent a second Korean War, state media reported Tuesday. Also read: North Korea declares emergency in border town over first suspected COVID-19 case The North Korean dictator made these comments ahead of the 67th anniversary of the end of the 1950-53 Korean War hinting that he has no intentions of abandoning the weapons to resume diplomacy with the United States. Previously, the country ratcheted up fiery rhetoric or conducted weapons tests to wrest outside concessions, however, some experts believe that North Korea will avoid serious talks with the Americans before the US presidential elections in November as there is a chance for a US leadership change. According to the Korean Central News Agency, Kim said that his country has tried to become “a nuclear state” with “an absolute might” to prevent another war and that it has now built such a deterrent during his speech on Monday. 4 “Now, we’ve changed to a country which can defend itself reliably and unwaveringly against high-intensity pressures and military threats and blackmailing by imperialistic reactionaries and hostile forces,” Kim said. “There won’t be any war on this land again and our national security and future will be guaranteed firmly and permanently because of our reliable, effective self-defensive nuclear deterrent,” Kim said. After the speech, both North Korean and US officials passed remarks saying that they were reluctant to engage in a new round of diplomacy on the North’s nuclear program anytime soon. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had said President Donald Trump would only want to engage with Kim if there were real prospects of progress. Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump met three times after the North Korean leader expressed his intent to deal away his advancing nuclear arsenals. Many experts were doubtful that Kim’s commitment disarm his weapons and said he only aimed to weaken US-led sanctions and perfect his nuclear program. Both leaders last met in February 2019, when diplomacy talks failed in Vietnam and no agreement was signed because Trump rejected Kim’s proposal to get extensive sanctions relief in return for a limited denuclearization step.

Kim Jong Un denies possibility of another war in North Korea; thanks 'reliable, effective' nuclear arms

How close is Iran to producing a nuclear bomb?

Report: Turkey Could Seize U.S.Nuclear Weapons Stored At An American Airbase In Turkey

Gravitas: U.S. Has 50 'nuke Bombs' In Turkey: Can Turkey Hold U.S. Hostage?

Despite having nuclear technology, Iran has never pursued building or using nuclear weapons, which its religion forbids, the country's highest political authority, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said on Wednesday.

"Building and stockpiling nuclear bombs is wrong and using it is haram (religiously forbidden) ... Although we have nuclear technology, Iran has firmly avoided it," State TV quoted him as saying.

Iran has repeatedly denied ever having sought to build a nuclear bomb.

A landmark 2015 deal that put curbs on Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief has been on life support since May last year when US President Donald Trump withdrew the US from it and reimposed sanctions.

The remaining parties to the deal with Iran — Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia — have tried to salvage the accord, but Tehran has repeatedly accused Europe of not doing enough.

Despite having nuclear technology, Iran has never pursued building or using nuclear weapons, which its religion forbids, the country's highest political authority, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said on Wednesday.

Despite having nuclear technology, Iran has never pursued building or using nuclear weapons, which its religion forbids, the country's highest political authority, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said on Wednesday. "Building and stockpiling nuclear bombs is wrong and using it is haram (religiously forbidden) ... Although we have nuclear technology, Iran has firmly avoided it," State TV quoted him as saying. Iran has repeatedly denied ever having sought to build a nuclear bomb. A landmark 2015 deal that put curbs on Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief has been on life support since May last year when US President Donald Trump withdrew the US from it and reimposed sanctions. The remaining parties to the deal with Iran — Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia — have tried to salvage the accord, but Tehran has repeatedly accused Europe of not doing enough.

Iran's Khamenei says building, using nuclear bomb religiously forbidden: State TV

The mayor of Hiroshima urged Japan to sign a landmark UN treaty banning nuclear weapons as the city Tuesday marked 74 years since being targeted in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hiroshima-marks-73rd-anniversary-of-atomic-bombing-in-wwii-157247">world's first atomic attack</a>.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe led commemorations at the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima as residents offered silent prayers, lit candles and placed wreathes to remember those killed in the August 6, 1945 bombing.

And mayor Kazumi Matsui used the occasion to push the Abe administration to sign the UN treaty on the prohibition of nuclear weapons (TPNW), approved by more than 120 nations, but rejected by the US and other nuclear armed countries.

"I call on the government of the only country to experience a nuclear weapon in war to accede to the hibakusha's (atomic bomb victims) request that the TPNW be signed and ratified," said Matsui.

"I urge Japan's leaders to manifest the pacifism of the Japanese constitution by displaying leadership in taking the next step towards a world free from nuclear weapons."

The mayor urged world leaders to come to the city to see the memorial for themselves, amid expectations that Pope Francis will visit later this year.

The ongoing threat from atomic weapons in the region was demonstrated as nuclear-armed North Korea fired off two "unidentified projectiles" off its eastern coast -- the latest in a series of tests.

Meanwhile, the US and Russia failed to renew a<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-formally-withdraws-from-1987-nuclear-pact-with-russia-mike-pompeo-240169"> Cold War-era nuclear pact </a>last week, triggering renewed fears of an arms race.

Japan remains the only country to have experienced atomic attack -- against Hiroshima and Nagasaki, days ahead of the country's surrender on August 15, 1945 to end World War II.

For his part, Abe reiterated a pledge to serve as a "bridge" between nations with and without nuclear weapons to rid the world of them.

"With help from both sides, I will patiently encourage them to engage in dialogue and I am resolved to lead international efforts towards this end," he said.&nbsp;

The mayor of Hiroshima urged Japan to sign a landmark UN treaty banning nuclear weapons as the city Tuesday marked 74 years since being targeted in the world's first atomic attack.

The mayor of Hiroshima urged Japan to sign a landmark UN treaty banning nuclear weapons as the city Tuesday marked 74 years since being targeted in the world's first atomic attack. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe led commemorations at the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima as residents offered silent prayers, lit candles and placed wreathes to remember those killed in the August 6, 1945 bombing. And mayor Kazumi Matsui used the occasion to push the Abe administration to sign the UN treaty on the prohibition of nuclear weapons (TPNW), approved by more than 120 nations, but rejected by the US and other nuclear armed countries. "I call on the government of the only country to experience a nuclear weapon in war to accede to the hibakusha's (atomic bomb victims) request that the TPNW be signed and ratified," said Matsui. "I urge Japan's leaders to manifest the pacifism of the Japanese constitution by displaying leadership in taking the next step towards a world free from nuclear weapons." The mayor urged world leaders to come to the city to see the memorial for themselves, amid expectations that Pope Francis will visit later this year. The ongoing threat from atomic weapons in the region was demonstrated as nuclear-armed North Korea fired off two "unidentified projectiles" off its eastern coast -- the latest in a series of tests. Meanwhile, the US and Russia failed to renew a Cold War-era nuclear pact last week, triggering renewed fears of an arms race. Japan remains the only country to have experienced atomic attack -- against Hiroshima and Nagasaki, days ahead of the country's surrender on August 15, 1945 to end World War II. For his part, Abe reiterated a pledge to serve as a "bridge" between nations with and without nuclear weapons to rid the world of them. "With help from both sides, I will patiently encourage them to engage in dialogue and I am resolved to lead international efforts towards this end," he said.

Mayor urges Japan to sign UN nuke ban on Hiroshima anniversary

Does Uranium Enrichment Mean That Iran Can Build Nuclear Bombs?

Gravitas: How to interpret Iran's moves?

Likening Iran&#39;s leader to Adolf Hitler, Saudi Arabia&#39;s crown prince warned in a US television interview that if Tehran gets a nuclear weapon, his country will follow suit.

&quot;Saudi Arabia does not want to acquire any nuclear bomb, but without a doubt, if Iran developed a nuclear bomb, we will follow suit as soon as possible,&quot; Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in an excerpt of the interview that aired Thursday on &quot;CBS This Morning.&quot;

The 32-year-old Prince Mohammed said he has referred to Iran&#39;s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as &quot;the new Hitler&quot; because &quot;he wants to expand.&quot;

&quot;He wants to create his own project in the Middle East, very much like Hitler who wanted to expand at the time,&quot; Prince Mohammed said.

&quot;Many countries around the world and in Europe did not realize how dangerous Hitler was until what happened, happened. I don&#39;t want to see the same events happening in the Middle East.&quot;

The interview is scheduled to run on CBS&#39;s &quot;60 Minutes&quot; show on Sunday, two days before the crown prince&#39;s scheduled White House meeting with US President Donald Trump.

His comments come amid concerns over nuclear proliferation in the Middle East and just days after the kingdom put an atomic energy program on a fast track.

Although intended to reduce Saudi Arabia&#39;s dependence on oil, analysts warn the capacity to produce atomic energy could open a pathway to nuclear development for military purposes.

A 2015 nuclear agreement has placed curbs on Iran&#39;s nuclear program, but Trump has expressed a desire to scrap it, making its future uncertain.

The Saudi cabinet says its nuclear program will be in &quot;full compliance with the principle of transparency&quot; and meet nuclear safety standards &quot;in accordance with an independent regulatory and supervisory framework.&quot;

The country has accelerated plans to build 16 nuclear reactors over the next two decades, according to officials and analysts, at a cost of around $80 billion.

Saudi Energy Minister Khaled al-Faleh said in October that the nuclear program would start by building two reactors, each producing between 1.2 and 1.6 gigawatts of electricity.

'Saudi Arabia does not want to acquire any nuclear bomb, but without a doubt, if Iran developed a nuclear bomb, we will follow suit as soon as possible,' Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said

Likening Iran's leader to Adolf Hitler, Saudi Arabia's crown prince warned in a US television interview that if Tehran gets a nuclear weapon, his country will follow suit. "Saudi Arabia does not want to acquire any nuclear bomb, but without a doubt, if Iran developed a nuclear bomb, we will follow suit as soon as possible," Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in an excerpt of the interview that aired Thursday on "CBS This Morning." The 32-year-old Prince Mohammed said he has referred to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as "the new Hitler" because "he wants to expand." "He wants to create his own project in the Middle East, very much like Hitler who wanted to expand at the time," Prince Mohammed said. "Many countries around the world and in Europe did not realize how dangerous Hitler was until what happened, happened. I don't want to see the same events happening in the Middle East." The interview is scheduled to run on CBS's "60 Minutes" show on Sunday, two days before the crown prince's scheduled White House meeting with US President Donald Trump. His comments come amid concerns over nuclear proliferation in the Middle East and just days after the kingdom put an atomic energy program on a fast track. Although intended to reduce Saudi Arabia's dependence on oil, analysts warn the capacity to produce atomic energy could open a pathway to nuclear development for military purposes. A 2015 nuclear agreement has placed curbs on Iran's nuclear program, but Trump has expressed a desire to scrap it, making its future uncertain. The Saudi cabinet says its nuclear program will be in "full compliance with the principle of transparency" and meet nuclear safety standards "in accordance with an independent regulatory and supervisory framework." The country has accelerated plans to build 16 nuclear reactors over the next two decades, according to officials and analysts, at a cost of around $80 billion. Saudi Energy Minister Khaled al-Faleh said in October that the nuclear program would start by building two reactors, each producing between 1.2 and 1.6 gigawatts of electricity.

If Iran gets nuclear bomb, Saudi Arabia will follow suit: Crown Prince

A few days back, I was talking to one of the Pakistan Defence Experts on the panel of a renowned news channel over the issue of ceasefire violation at Line of Control. The Indian panelists were in anguish over the recent killings but, surprisingly, the Pakistani panelist who was a retired Lieutenant General mentioned repeatedly in his statement that Pakistan is nuclear capable and any adventure from Indian side will be answered by a nuclear missile.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Before we become a victim to these lies and deceits, we must understand the reality of Pakistan&rsquo;s nuclear programme.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

As per the statement of AQ Khan to Newsweek on 16 May 2011, Pakistan&rsquo;s nuclear programme started as a countermeasure of India&rsquo;s first nuclear test in 1974 but he is wrong. If we go back to study the nuclear program of Pakistan, we must start with their humiliating defeat in 1971. Then PM Mr Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto said that Pakistanis will have to make a nuclear bomb even if they have to eat grass.&nbsp; The entire blueprint of Project 706 or the Kahuta Research Laboratory (KRL) was ready as early as 1973 and the project actually kicked off in 1974. This was the start of a dirty mess created by Pakistan which is still haunting the world.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

To me the actual father of Pakistani Nuclear program was not AQ Khan, it was Dr Munir Ahmed Khan of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC).&nbsp; Munir was a true genius and fathered Pakistan&rsquo;s nuclear weapon programme using Plutonium. AQ Khan, who started Project 706, had the sole objective to develop Pakistan&rsquo;s own nuclear bomb using Uranium as fuel. And, finally, all the devices of Pakistan&rsquo;s Nuclear arsenal were Uranium based only.

&nbsp;

Technically speaking, any nuclear fission device has two major parts. The Device consists of many parts, such as mechanical, electrical, electronic and the detonation mechanism in the body of the bomb is the first part, and the nuclear fuel is the second part. While the first part is not very difficult to obtain, Pakistan could create it easily in 1974 itself. The second part which is the nuclear fuel was the factor which delayed Pakistan&rsquo;s nuclear programme for another 10 years and they could be ready with their first device in 1984 only.

&nbsp;

To understand Pakistan&rsquo;s nuclear programme and the role of AQ Khan in this, we must understand the concept of nuclear fuel. Uranium has several isotopes and the main fissile isotope which acts towards the generation of energy or creation of nuclear bomb is Uranium-235 which is only .5% to .7% in the naturally obtained Uranium. The energy grade uranium has 4-6% of U-235 while in the weapon-grade uranium, the concentration should be more than 90% and that was the main concern for Pakistan.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The equipment required to make weapon-grade uranium is an ultra-high-speed gas centrifuge and the technology was not available with Pakistan. The centrifuge is required to spin the gaseous form of Uranium Hexafluoride at more than 100,000 RPM to generate fissile material. &nbsp;

&nbsp;

This was the time when AQ Khan played a vital role. Though he was a nuclear scientist, he was working as a translator in URENCO at Belgium and Netherlands. He approached the Pakistan Government and asked to help them in making the bomb. As per Mr Kuldeep Nayyar, the Pakistan Government was not aware of him and, thus, the ISI was made to run a full background check on him.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Ironically, the ISI declared him incompetent for any nuclear weapon development but still he made his forays in the government set up through his connects in the PAEC and successfully arranged a meeting with Mr Bhutto. Somehow, he was successful in convincing the top leadership and AQ Khan was given the charge of Kahuta Research laboratory after he returned to Pakistan from the Netherlands.

&nbsp;

Khan knew the importance of Pakistan army in the political scenario; he had seen many coups. Hence, to secure his project from any political disturbance, he made this project separated from PAEC and ran it in close connection with the Pakistan Army.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Over the next few years, he established administrative setups at various shell companies in Dubai and the Middle East to route the centrifuge technology. The designs, calculations and blueprints of these centrifuges were stolen by AQ Khan from URENCO and transferred to Pakistan through different international routes. Unconfirmed reports say that certain Middle Eastern Islamic countries also helped him in this on the pretext of having a dedicated Islamic Bomb.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

By 1980, Pakistan had developed some prototype centrifuges for uranium enrichment which were called as PakSat-1. They developed the centrifuges further and by 1984 could have enough fissile material required for their first bomb.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

I would like to mention here that there were two organisations working in Pakistan towards the development of a nuclear bomb. One was KRL under the Pak Army and AQ Khan which was making a Uranium-based bomb; the other was PAEC itself which continued its 1972 program of the Plutonium-based bomb and established its facilities in Khushab, Jorarabad. By late nineties, Pakistan had the design and capability to produce its Plutonium based device too, however, all the existing devices with Pakistan are Uranium-based and the Plutonium-based device was limited to experiments only.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The bomb was in the making and Pakistan needed the missile technology to drive this project too. Its ally and friend America refused to give any technology to Pakistan on the pretext that it could fall into the wrong hands and the eyes moved to their other friends- China and North Korea.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Under Kim-Jong-Il, North Korea was successful in making its missiles with the help of China and was desperately looking for someone who could help them achieve their mission. When Pak PM Benazir Bhutto visited Pyongyang in 1990, certain secret agreements were signed between both the countries and some classified information about the designs of device and centrifuges was shared with North Korea in 1993 in exchange of missile technology. This missile technology formed the base of most of the missiles of Pakistan which surprisingly resemble North Korean missiles.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

It was not only North Korea but Iran too. When in 2003, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspected Iran and found a large uranium enrichment facility, Iranian government revealed that the centrifuges were obtained from a foreign intermediary through URENCO but surprisingly the design was exactly same as PakSat-1 centrifuge which was invented by Pakistan. Some of the Pakistani centrifuges which were transferred to Iran in 1989 were also recovered.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Pakistan was expanding his black market for other countries too and the key person in this was AQ Khan who was working closely with every government and military chief of Pakistan. In 2003 itself IAEA decided to dismantle Libya&rsquo;s nuclear program and to their surprise, they found Pakistani PakSat-1 centrifuges in one of the Libyan uranium enrichment facility. Libyan government openly accepted that they bought this technology from the black market and the supplier was Pakistan. Imagine had that dismantling not been done, the nuclear bomb would have gone into the hands of Islamic terrorists by now as entire Libya is facing turmoils of war with ISIS.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The cost paid for these materials to Pakistan by North Korea, Iran or Libya were not known. It was also not known if Pak government had sold these designs to any other country too. However, as per rough estimates, the payments went into billions of US Dollars which were reportedly used by Pakistan in spreading terror network in Indian and Afghanistan.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

In 2004, Pakistan government dismissed AQ Khan and initiated an inquiry against him and, ironically, his military connects saved him when Parvez Musharraf took over the country and issued him a presidential pardon. The Pak government said that AQ Khan ran this nuclear black market purely on his own. However, the fact is that he was awarded the highest civilian decoration of Pakistan- &ldquo;Nishan-E-Imtiyaz&rdquo; twice in 1996 and 1999 which proves the undeterred support of Pakistani government to him.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Pakistan's nuclear black market extended through N.Korea, Libya, Iran

A few days back, I was talking to one of the Pakistan Defence Experts on the panel of a renowned news channel over the issue of ceasefire violation at Line of Control. The Indian panelists were in anguish over the recent killings but, surprisingly, the Pakistani panelist who was a retired Lieutenant General mentioned repeatedly in his statement that Pakistan is nuclear capable and any adventure from Indian side will be answered by a nuclear missile. Before we become a victim to these lies and deceits, we must understand the reality of Pakistan’s nuclear programme. As per the statement of AQ Khan to Newsweek on 16 May 2011, Pakistan’s nuclear programme started as a countermeasure of India’s first nuclear test in 1974 but he is wrong. If we go back to study the nuclear program of Pakistan, we must start with their humiliating defeat in 1971. Then PM Mr Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto said that Pakistanis will have to make a nuclear bomb even if they have to eat grass. The entire blueprint of Project 706 or the Kahuta Research Laboratory (KRL) was ready as early as 1973 and the project actually kicked off in 1974. This was the start of a dirty mess created by Pakistan which is still haunting the world. To me the actual father of Pakistani Nuclear program was not AQ Khan, it was Dr Munir Ahmed Khan of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC). Munir was a true genius and fathered Pakistan’s nuclear weapon programme using Plutonium. AQ Khan, who started Project 706, had the sole objective to develop Pakistan’s own nuclear bomb using Uranium as fuel. And, finally, all the devices of Pakistan’s Nuclear arsenal were Uranium based only. Technically speaking, any nuclear fission device has two major parts. The Device consists of many parts, such as mechanical, electrical, electronic and the detonation mechanism in the body of the bomb is the first part, and the nuclear fuel is the second part. While the first part is not very difficult to obtain, Pakistan could create it easily in 1974 itself. The second part which is the nuclear fuel was the factor which delayed Pakistan’s nuclear programme for another 10 years and they could be ready with their first device in 1984 only. To understand Pakistan’s nuclear programme and the role of AQ Khan in this, we must understand the concept of nuclear fuel. Uranium has several isotopes and the main fissile isotope which acts towards the generation of energy or creation of nuclear bomb is Uranium-235 which is only .5% to .7% in the naturally obtained Uranium. The energy grade uranium has 4-6% of U-235 while in the weapon-grade uranium, the concentration should be more than 90% and that was the main concern for Pakistan. The equipment required to make weapon-grade uranium is an ultra-high-speed gas centrifuge and the technology was not available with Pakistan. The centrifuge is required to spin the gaseous form of Uranium Hexafluoride at more than 100,000 RPM to generate fissile material. This was the time when AQ Khan played a vital role. Though he was a nuclear scientist, he was working as a translator in URENCO at Belgium and Netherlands. He approached the Pakistan Government and asked to help them in making the bomb. As per Mr Kuldeep Nayyar, the Pakistan Government was not aware of him and, thus, the ISI was made to run a full background check on him. Ironically, the ISI declared him incompetent for any nuclear weapon development but still he made his forays in the government set up through his connects in the PAEC and successfully arranged a meeting with Mr Bhutto. Somehow, he was successful in convincing the top leadership and AQ Khan was given the charge of Kahuta Research laboratory after he returned to Pakistan from the Netherlands. Khan knew the importance of Pakistan army in the political scenario; he had seen many coups. Hence, to secure his project from any political disturbance, he made this project separated from PAEC and ran it in close connection with the Pakistan Army. Over the next few years, he established administrative setups at various shell companies in Dubai and the Middle East to route the centrifuge technology. The designs, calculations and blueprints of these centrifuges were stolen by AQ Khan from URENCO and transferred to Pakistan through different international routes. Unconfirmed reports say that certain Middle Eastern Islamic countries also helped him in this on the pretext of having a dedicated Islamic Bomb. By 1980, Pakistan had developed some prototype centrifuges for uranium enrichment which were called as PakSat-1. They developed the centrifuges further and by 1984 could have enough fissile material required for their first bomb. I would like to mention here that there were two organisations working in Pakistan towards the development of a nuclear bomb. One was KRL under the Pak Army and AQ Khan which was making a Uranium-based bomb; the other was PAEC itself which continued its 1972 program of the Plutonium-based bomb and established its facilities in Khushab, Jorarabad. By late nineties, Pakistan had the design and capability to produce its Plutonium based device too, however, all the existing devices with Pakistan are Uranium-based and the Plutonium-based device was limited to experiments only. The bomb was in the making and Pakistan needed the missile technology to drive this project too. Its ally and friend America refused to give any technology to Pakistan on the pretext that it could fall into the wrong hands and the eyes moved to their other friends- China and North Korea. Under Kim-Jong-Il, North Korea was successful in making its missiles with the help of China and was desperately looking for someone who could help them achieve their mission. When Pak PM Benazir Bhutto visited Pyongyang in 1990, certain secret agreements were signed between both the countries and some classified information about the designs of device and centrifuges was shared with North Korea in 1993 in exchange of missile technology. This missile technology formed the base of most of the missiles of Pakistan which surprisingly resemble North Korean missiles. It was not only North Korea but Iran too. When in 2003, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspected Iran and found a large uranium enrichment facility, Iranian government revealed that the centrifuges were obtained from a foreign intermediary through URENCO but surprisingly the design was exactly same as PakSat-1 centrifuge which was invented by Pakistan. Some of the Pakistani centrifuges which were transferred to Iran in 1989 were also recovered. Pakistan was expanding his black market for other countries too and the key person in this was AQ Khan who was working closely with every government and military chief of Pakistan. In 2003 itself IAEA decided to dismantle Libya’s nuclear program and to their surprise, they found Pakistani PakSat-1 centrifuges in one of the Libyan uranium enrichment facility. Libyan government openly accepted that they bought this technology from the black market and the supplier was Pakistan. Imagine had that dismantling not been done, the nuclear bomb would have gone into the hands of Islamic terrorists by now as entire Libya is facing turmoils of war with ISIS. The cost paid for these materials to Pakistan by North Korea, Iran or Libya were not known. It was also not known if Pak government had sold these designs to any other country too. However, as per rough estimates, the payments went into billions of US Dollars which were reportedly used by Pakistan in spreading terror network in Indian and Afghanistan. In 2004, Pakistan government dismissed AQ Khan and initiated an inquiry against him and, ironically, his military connects saved him when Parvez Musharraf took over the country and issued him a presidential pardon. The Pak government said that AQ Khan ran this nuclear black market purely on his own. However, the fact is that he was awarded the highest civilian decoration of Pakistan- “Nishan-E-Imtiyaz” twice in 1996 and 1999 which proves the undeterred support of Pakistani government to him. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Pakistan's nuclear black market endangers the world

The use of nuclear capability as insurance for its defence was cited as the main reason by every country, which added nuclear weapons to its armoury, ever since it was invented. It spiralled into a competition, which came under some control after the realisation of its devastation in Japan, and potentials of mutually assured destruction (MAD).

When Israel went nuclear, it developed a survival capability to dissuade all hostile neighbouring Arab countries. The Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) required checking proliferation of nuclear weapon technology was selectively leaked by some irresponsible countries, leading to a situation where humanity suffers from a threat of nuclear blackmailing by states, as well as militants if tactical nukes accidentally fall into their hand. Interestingly, both countries accused of nuclear blackmailing happen to be Frontline states of China.

North Korea

When President Trump started his visit to Asia, after a series of provocative statements by the US and North Korea, it was being speculated that some concrete action plan will emerge in his handling of North Korea. During this marathon visit, as President Trump came closer to reality, it is quite clear now that it will end with no worthwhile option on the table, except the efforts to outsource the problem to China again, (which is also part of the problem) despite being disappointed earlier, with reasonable suspicion that it will not work.

North Korea has its own point of view for all its missiles/nuclear tests/ misadventures so far, which revolves around its own security concerns and survival of regime of Kim. It justifies it as a defensive measure against the backdrop of US threat of past regime changes efforts in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria and other countries not following its dictate, as they happened to be Non-nuclear/incapable of threatening some part/colony of US.

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<h5>North Korea has been able to create a capability which dissuades the strongest military power US (having all instruments of military deterrence) to take any military action.</h5>
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The threat from US regional allies has also been given as an excuse. The Korean War is also an unforgettable historical event when the US might be used against them. The blackmailing part is that their leadership is ready to endanger lives of its own people, by continuing with nuclear tests, despite mountain collapsing, to save the current autocratic regime, using &lsquo;Hate America&rsquo; theme as the rallying point.

By doing so they expect that the world should behave on their terms to save lives of people of other countries, despite the risk of suicidal destruction of their own country, like in case of fidayeen attacks. Sanctions had little effect to the extent that North Korea is now signalling to be ready to talk to the US, but without preconditions.

The reality, therefore, is that by getting the missile and nuclear technology from some country/countries who would have obviously violated NPT, North Korea has been able to create a capability which dissuades the strongest military power US (having all instruments of military deterrence) to take any military action.&nbsp;It is also using its nuclear capability claims, to threaten Japan and South Korea and blackmail the US to talk without preconditions.

Pakistan

Pakistan has also been using this Nuclear Blackmailing/Dissuasion Theory against India for quite some time. It acquired nuclear and missile capability from some country/countries, which must have violated NPT at that time, and the world community ignored it. Today, Pakistan is hosting and training a maximum number of terrorist organisations in the world. It blatantly launches the proxy war against India through militants and has been able to dissuade India to use its conventional capability to prevent it, by nuclear blackmail/ threat to use nukes.

It has thus been able to prevent full use of hard power by India, against the inhuman use of proxy war by militants on innocent people; hence this theory seems to be working.

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<h5>The danger of this technology passing into the hand of terrorists to share the technology and steal some fissile material, sufficient for mini nuke/ dirty bomb is not impossible in future.</h5>
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It is surprising that the whole world rightly criticises North Korea, but not many are talking of Pakistani tactical nukes, despite the fact that the risk of tactical nuclear/dirty bomb sneaking to militants is much more from Pakistan. The stage is slowly setting in Pakistan, for the next level of terrorism with tactical nukes/dirty bombs.

The danger of this technology passing into the hand of terrorists by coercion of scientists/security personals/handlers, to share the technology and steal some fissile material, sufficient for mini nuke/ dirty bomb is not impossible in future.

The Nuclear Security Summit held in the US on 02 Apr 2016, exhibited grave concern of global powers, about the danger of mini-nukes falling in hands of terrorist organisations. A possibility of Pakistan covertly passing the tactical nuclear technology/ dirty bomb to terrorists to explode it in India, as part of a proxy war, and later deny it, is an option which cannot be ruled out, as its overt use by their Army may be difficult to be justified to the world community.

Implications

Despite best efforts a worthwhile solution to control unilateral missile and nuclear tests by North Korea has been found by World community, as the sanctions alone are unlikely to yield results, may be due to selective leakages.

A status quo in this regard will render world helpless, and it will become a new normal. Surprisingly, when newly elected Pakistani Prime Minister is talking of use of tactical nuclear weapons against India, not much criticism appeared on world media (perhaps many countries still feel that it is a local affair). Let me enumerate some of the implications of silent acceptance by the global community of this &lsquo;Nuclear Blackmailing Theory&rsquo;.

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<h5>There is a need to collectively have some global mechanism in place to prevent miniaturisation of nukes/tactical nukes/dirty bombs over and above the existing UN conventions.</h5>
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Iran may be encouraged to go nuclear looking at the fate of Iraq, and over arming of Saudi Arabia.

Japan may go in for creating its own military capabilities and later go nuclear.

South Korea may ask for tactical nukes from the US to protect itself from North Korea if China and Russia are not able to push North Korea to negations table.

Vietnam may also get an idea to request for nuclear technology.

India may have to speed up enlarging stockpile of existing nukes, not to suffer disadvantage on the deterrence capability, despite being well placed to respond to any tactical nukes threat of Pakistan. There is a need to collectively have some global mechanism in place to prevent miniaturisation of nukes/tactical nukes/dirty bombs over and above the existing UN conventions.

There is a need to implement some mechanism towards safety and security of nukes and accountability of fissile material. While a large number of analysts may be convinced that North Korea is the biggest challenge in terms of nuclear blackmailing, but in my opinion, the bigger global challenge is yet to come in the form of tactical nukes/dirty bombs/biological and chemical weapons being acquired by terrorists.

No country should assume that it&rsquo;s safe forever from blackmailing by terrorists having acquired such capability, even if it appears fiction today.

No doubt North Korea is the challenge in terms of nuclear blackmailing but the bigger global challenge is yet to come in the form of nuclear weapons possessed by terrorists.

The use of nuclear capability as insurance for its defence was cited as the main reason by every country, which added nuclear weapons to its armoury, ever since it was invented. It spiralled into a competition, which came under some control after the realisation of its devastation in Japan, and potentials of mutually assured destruction (MAD). When Israel went nuclear, it developed a survival capability to dissuade all hostile neighbouring Arab countries. The Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) required checking proliferation of nuclear weapon technology was selectively leaked by some irresponsible countries, leading to a situation where humanity suffers from a threat of nuclear blackmailing by states, as well as militants if tactical nukes accidentally fall into their hand. Interestingly, both countries accused of nuclear blackmailing happen to be Frontline states of China. North Korea When President Trump started his visit to Asia, after a series of provocative statements by the US and North Korea, it was being speculated that some concrete action plan will emerge in his handling of North Korea. During this marathon visit, as President Trump came closer to reality, it is quite clear now that it will end with no worthwhile option on the table, except the efforts to outsource the problem to China again, (which is also part of the problem) despite being disappointed earlier, with reasonable suspicion that it will not work. North Korea has its own point of view for all its missiles/nuclear tests/ misadventures so far, which revolves around its own security concerns and survival of regime of Kim. It justifies it as a defensive measure against the backdrop of US threat of past regime changes efforts in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria and other countries not following its dictate, as they happened to be Non-nuclear/incapable of threatening some part/colony of US. North Korea has been able to create a capability which dissuades the strongest military power US (having all instruments of military deterrence) to take any military action. × The threat from US regional allies has also been given as an excuse. The Korean War is also an unforgettable historical event when the US might be used against them. The blackmailing part is that their leadership is ready to endanger lives of its own people, by continuing with nuclear tests, despite mountain collapsing, to save the current autocratic regime, using ‘Hate America’ theme as the rallying point. By doing so they expect that the world should behave on their terms to save lives of people of other countries, despite the risk of suicidal destruction of their own country, like in case of fidayeen attacks. Sanctions had little effect to the extent that North Korea is now signalling to be ready to talk to the US, but without preconditions. The reality, therefore, is that by getting the missile and nuclear technology from some country/countries who would have obviously violated NPT, North Korea has been able to create a capability which dissuades the strongest military power US (having all instruments of military deterrence) to take any military action. It is also using its nuclear capability claims, to threaten Japan and South Korea and blackmail the US to talk without preconditions. Pakistan Pakistan has also been using this Nuclear Blackmailing/Dissuasion Theory against India for quite some time. It acquired nuclear and missile capability from some country/countries, which must have violated NPT at that time, and the world community ignored it. Today, Pakistan is hosting and training a maximum number of terrorist organisations in the world. It blatantly launches the proxy war against India through militants and has been able to dissuade India to use its conventional capability to prevent it, by nuclear blackmail/ threat to use nukes. It has thus been able to prevent full use of hard power by India, against the inhuman use of proxy war by militants on innocent people; hence this theory seems to be working. The danger of this technology passing into the hand of terrorists to share the technology and steal some fissile material, sufficient for mini nuke/ dirty bomb is not impossible in future. × It is surprising that the whole world rightly criticises North Korea, but not many are talking of Pakistani tactical nukes, despite the fact that the risk of tactical nuclear/dirty bomb sneaking to militants is much more from Pakistan. The stage is slowly setting in Pakistan, for the next level of terrorism with tactical nukes/dirty bombs. The danger of this technology passing into the hand of terrorists by coercion of scientists/security personals/handlers, to share the technology and steal some fissile material, sufficient for mini nuke/ dirty bomb is not impossible in future. The Nuclear Security Summit held in the US on 02 Apr 2016, exhibited grave concern of global powers, about the danger of mini-nukes falling in hands of terrorist organisations. A possibility of Pakistan covertly passing the tactical nuclear technology/ dirty bomb to terrorists to explode it in India, as part of a proxy war, and later deny it, is an option which cannot be ruled out, as its overt use by their Army may be difficult to be justified to the world community. Implications Despite best efforts a worthwhile solution to control unilateral missile and nuclear tests by North Korea has been found by World community, as the sanctions alone are unlikely to yield results, may be due to selective leakages. A status quo in this regard will render world helpless, and it will become a new normal. Surprisingly, when newly elected Pakistani Prime Minister is talking of use of tactical nuclear weapons against India, not much criticism appeared on world media (perhaps many countries still feel that it is a local affair). Let me enumerate some of the implications of silent acceptance by the global community of this ‘Nuclear Blackmailing Theory’. There is a need to collectively have some global mechanism in place to prevent miniaturisation of nukes/tactical nukes/dirty bombs over and above the existing UN conventions. × Iran may be encouraged to go nuclear looking at the fate of Iraq, and over arming of Saudi Arabia. Japan may go in for creating its own military capabilities and later go nuclear. South Korea may ask for tactical nukes from the US to protect itself from North Korea if China and Russia are not able to push North Korea to negations table. Vietnam may also get an idea to request for nuclear technology. India may have to speed up enlarging stockpile of existing nukes, not to suffer disadvantage on the deterrence capability, despite being well placed to respond to any tactical nukes threat of Pakistan. There is a need to collectively have some global mechanism in place to prevent miniaturisation of nukes/tactical nukes/dirty bombs over and above the existing UN conventions. There is a need to implement some mechanism towards safety and security of nukes and accountability of fissile material. While a large number of analysts may be convinced that North Korea is the biggest challenge in terms of nuclear blackmailing, but in my opinion, the bigger global challenge is yet to come in the form of tactical nukes/dirty bombs/biological and chemical weapons being acquired by terrorists. No country should assume that it’s safe forever from blackmailing by terrorists having acquired such capability, even if it appears fiction today.

Is nuclear blackmailing going to be a new normal?

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