Nine countries currently state they possess nuclear weapons or are widely believed to, according to the Associated Press.
The first nations to acquire nuclear weapons were the five original nuclear-weapon states: the US, Russia, China, France, and the UK. These five are signatories to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which obligates non-nuclear-weapon states not to build or acquire them, and commits nuclear-weapon states to negotiate “in good faith” toward nuclear disarmament.
India and Pakistan, regional rivals, did not sign the NPT and have built their nuclear arsenals over the years.
India conducted its first nuclear test in 1974, followed by another in 1998, with Pakistan quickly conducting its own tests weeks later.
Israel, which also did not sign the NPT, has never officially admitted to possessing nuclear weapons but is widely believed to have them.
North Korea joined the NPT in 1985 but announced its withdrawal in 2003, citing what it called “US aggression.”
Since 2006, it has conducted a series of nuclear tests.
Iran has consistently affirmed its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only. US intelligence agencies currently assess that Tehran is not actively pursuing a nuclear bomb.
However, in recent years, Iran has enriched uranium to 60 percent purity, close to the 90 percent level used in nuclear weapons.
Nuclear nations 2025 ranking
In an annual assessment released this week, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) estimated the number of military nuclear warheads possessed by these nine countries as of January:
- Russia: 4,309
- United States: 3,700
- China: 600
- France: 290
- United Kingdom: 225
- India: 180
- Pakistan: 170
- Israel: 90
- North Korea: 50
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
