Washington: The war in Iran is taking longer than planned for the Trump administration. The whole world feels the pain of higher fuel and energy prices. While US President Donald Trump has not made clear what the exact reason for this war is, the Iranian nuclear program is certainly part of the answer. According to The New York Times, it was Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who was able to convince President Trump to bomb Iran for the second time within a year.
According to Anadolu Agency, questions have been raised about the legitimacy of Israel's stance in the nuclear arena. Israel, which has never signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and possesses nuclear weapons itself, seeks to prevent other states in the Middle East from acquiring similar capabilities. This double standard is viewed as unsustainable from a regional perspective, as proliferation often leads to further proliferation.
The fear of Israel's atomic bomb is cited as a primary reason for Iran's nuclear program, which may be intended for military purposes. Should Iran succeed in developing nuclear weapons, it is likely that other Middle Eastern countries, such as Saudi Arabia, could follow suit. Saudi Arabia has recently strengthened its relationship with Pakistan, a nuclear-armed state, raising concerns about a potential nuclear arms race in the region.
Last week, 30 Democratic Party representatives in Congress addressed a letter to President Trump, urging him to publicly acknowledge Israel's possession of nuclear weapons. Since Israel acquired these weapons in the late 1960s, consecutive US administrations have maintained an opaque policy, avoiding open acknowledgment of Israel's nuclear capabilities. This policy has facilitated Israel's denial and has complicated its stance against other Middle Eastern states pursuing nuclear ambitions.
The US representatives' letter is unprecedented, marking the first time the political establishment has openly questioned Israel's nuclear arsenal. The letter demands a risk assessment for US troops involved in the war, particularly if Israel were to use nuclear weapons. Additionally, it highlights the global perception of the US-Iran conflict as less legitimate due to Israel's involvement.
The growing criticism of Israel's actions, especially following the bombing of Gaza, has contributed to the increased scrutiny. In April, 40 Democratic representatives supported a law to halt the delivery of bulldozers to Israel, reflecting the changing attitude within the US political landscape.
The timing of the letter coincides with the five-yearly review conference of the NPT in New York. The absence of Israel, along with India and Pakistan, from the treaty raises concerns about nuclear proliferation in the Middle East. The lack of recognition of Israel as a nuclear state by the US complicates efforts to prevent nuclear proliferation in the region.
Opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Anadolu.