NewKerala.com

Russia Warns of Nuclear Crisis as US-Israel Strikes Undermine Key Treaty

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned that recent military actions by Israel and the U.S. against Iran have seriously damaged the authority of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. He stated such actions undermine diplomatic conflict resolution and could push countries to seek nuclear weapons for security. Lavrov also highlighted increasing risks from the militarization of outer space, citing the U.S. "Golden Dome" missile defense system. This comes amid reports that U.S. President Donald Trump rejected a proposal from Russian President Vladimir Putin to transfer Iran's enriched uranium to Russia as part of a conflict-ending deal.

Key Points: Russia Warns of Nuclear Proliferation Risks Amid Middle East Tensions

  • US-Israel strikes hurt NPT authority
  • Lavrov warns nations may seek nukes for security
  • US space missile defense threatens stability
  • Trump rejected Putin's Iran uranium deal
2 min read

Russia warns of risks to nuclear non-proliferation amid Mideast crisis

Sergei Lavrov says US-Israel strikes on Iran hurt nuclear non-proliferation treaty, as Trump rejects Putin's uranium transfer deal to end conflict.

"The fate of the nuclear non-proliferation regime is a source of grave concern. - Sergei Lavrov"

Moscow, March 16

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Monday that the fate of the nuclear non-proliferation regime is a source of grave concern amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

In a message to participants of the Moscow Nonproliferation Conference, Lavrov said the recent military actions by Israel and the United States against Iran, including strikes targetting facilities under the safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency, had dealt a serious blow to the authority of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

Such actions have also hurt the credibility of diplomacy as a means of resolving disputes, Lavrov said, adding that some countries may increasingly view nuclear weapons as a guarantee of security.

He stressed the importance of preserving the pact as a key element of global strategic stability and urged all signatories, particularly nuclear-weapon states, to fulfill their obligations.

The foreign minister also noted that the risks of the militarization of outer space are increasing as a result of "destructive actions by the United States and its allies", Xinhua news agency reported.

The implementation of the US "Golden Dome" missile defence system, which envisions deploying space-based interceptor strike systems by 2028, poses a significant threat to strategic stability, he said.

Last week, a US news website reported that US President Donald Trump has rejected a proposal by Russian President Vladimir Putin to move Iran's enriched uranium to Russia as part of a deal to end the US-Israeli conflict with Iran.

Trump turned Putin down in a phone call earlier this week, sources told Axios, an American news website based in Arlington, Virginia.

Putin raised several ideas, including the uranium proposal, for ending the war during the phone conversation with Trump on Monday (March 9), said the report.

"This is not the first time it was offered. It hasn't been accepted. The US position is we need to see the uranium secured," a US official was quoted as saying.

It's not clear whether Iran would accept the proposal now. In the last round of talks before the war, Iran rejected the transfer idea and proposed diluting the uranium inside its own facilities under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency, according to the report.

Some news reports had also said that the Trump administration is considering sending special operations forces into Iran to secure or seize the country's highly enriched uranium.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
It's rich coming from Russia, which has its own complicated history with nuclear deals. But the core concern is valid. The Middle East crisis is a powder keg. If countries start believing nukes are their only security guarantee, the entire NPT collapses. The US rejecting Putin's uranium proposal seems short-sighted.
A
Aman W
As an Indian, our primary concern is stability. A nuclear arms race in our extended neighborhood is the last thing we need. The focus should be on bringing Iran back to the negotiating table, not on military ops to seize uranium. That's a recipe for a wider war.
S
Sarah B
The militarization of space is a terrifying prospect mentioned here. "Golden Dome" sounds like something from a sci-fi movie, but it's real. Once that genie is out of the bottle, there's no going back. All nuclear powers, including Russia and the US, need to show more responsibility.
V
Vikram M
The world is watching. Big powers are failing their duty to maintain peace. When treaties are undermined, smaller nations feel forced to pursue their own deterrents. India has always advocated for universal nuclear disarmament. The current path is leading us away from that goal, very worrying.
K
Kriti O
Honestly, it feels like posturing from all sides. Russia warning about non-proliferation while being a major arms supplier to the region. The US and Israel taking military action. Where is the genuine effort for dialogue? The IAEA's role is being weakened, and that hurts every nation that believes in rules-based order.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50