nuclear proliferation crisis

High-stakes diplomatic talks between U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and Iran in Pakistan concluded without an agreement, deepening uncertainty over a Gulf ceasefire. Vance acknowledged the failure, stating Iran rejected Washington's "final and best offer," while Iran cited U.S. unwillingness to recognize its "legitimate rights and interests."

Pakistan faces a strategic crossroads, caught between alliances and regional conflicts. Past involvements in foreign wars, driven by external powers, have led to domestic instability and blowback. Now, a new defence pact with Saudi Arabia and escalating conflict with Afghanistan highlight the nation's struggle to balance relevance with long-term stability, risking further entanglement.

A projectile struck near Iran's Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, approximately 350 meters from the reactor, according to the IAEA. The agency confirmed no damage to the reactor or injuries, but stressed that attacks near nuclear facilities violate safety principles. Russia's Rosatom reported the strike took place Tuesday and is urging de-escalation amid ongoing regional hostilities.

Russia's intelligence agency alleges Britain and France are secretly planning to supply nuclear weapons to Ukraine, a claim vehemently denied by Kyiv and France as "an outright lie" and "absurd." Moscow stated this information is crucial for ongoing peace talks, while Ukraine urged the international community to reject Russia's "dirty information bombs."

The targeted killing of Iran's Supreme Leader has escalated into a regionwide conflict, with the US and Israel facing a complex reality as Iran signals continuity. This strategic gamble risks a prolonged, multi-actor war, potentially backfiring by strengthening the regime's internal cohesion and creating widespread instability.

WASHINGTON: The pursuit of nuclear weapons capabilities by India and Pakistan have been "a principal nonproliferation concern" but sanctions against the two countries had proved controversial and were therefore relaxed by the US Congress, the Congressional Research Service, which advises members of the Congress, has said.

"It is with concern and deep disappointment that we note Pakistan's reluctance to support the start of such negotiations," the US official said.

As Pak Prez Zardari is set to press for a deal similar to Indo-US N-deal with China, India is confident that its poor non-proliferation record will make it difficult for them.

The US, which signed a nuclear agreement with India last year, is not considering the option of providing atomic energy to Pakistan as part of its efforts to resolve the energy-crisis in the country.

Pakistan's role in nuclear proliferation is getting fresh attention in Washington amid a fervid debate in the US.

Robert Einhorn, known to be an arms control hawk, has been named the US State Department's special advisor for non-proliferation and arms control.

"If you open the door for India, a lot of other countries are likely to step through it," a deputy director of Monterey Center for Nonproliferation Studies said.

The Obama administration named hard-line non-proliferation warrior Robert Einhorn as the US state department's special advisor for nonproliferation and arms control.

NEW DELHI: As a responsible nuclear weapon state, India is ready to work for an effective global regime to prevent the illegal proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and technologies associated with them.

WASHINGTON: Alarmed at the prospect of resumption of high-tech transfers between New Delhi and Washington, hawks in the US establishment have already begun to raise the red flag of proliferation.

NEW DELHI: In the face of mounting criticism against the Indo-US nuclear agreement, the action will shift to US early September.

Iran’s nuke programme started 30 years ago, during the rule of the Shah. Though the Shah insisted that Iran was interested only in a nuke power industry and not in nuclear weapons, US remained wary because of the nuclear proliferation risk.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned European powers against a "strategy of confrontation" over Tehran's nuclear programme, according to comments published in a French weekly on Sunday. "This strategy of confrontation risks provoking a global nuclear proliferation crisis that would primarily affect Europeans themselves," Araghchi said in comments published by French weekly Le Point.