Australia Urged to Advocate for Responsible US Nuclear Policy Amid Israel-Iran Tensions

As the conflict between Israel and Iran escalates, the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), a Nobel Prize-winning anti-nuclear organization, has called upon Australia to pressure the United States to act responsibly and promote diplomatic solutions. The group emphasizes the urgent need for de-escalation, citing the potential for nuclear disaster as a result of ongoing military actions in the region.

The remarks come in light of Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, which ICAN has labeled as violations of international law. Gem Romuld, the Australian director of ICAN, stated, "The prospect of radiation release, the erosion of non-proliferation norms, and the emboldening of nuclear-armed states to act without accountability—this is the deadly logic of nuclear deterrence playing out in real time.” Romuld emphasized the necessity for Australia to condemn such military actions and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).

Historically, Israel has maintained a policy of ambiguity regarding its nuclear arsenal, believed to consist of approximately 90 warheads, while remaining outside the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). According to Brigadier General Effie Defrin, spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces, these strikes are deemed lawful and essential for national security, aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear capabilities.

Conversely, Iran, a signatory of the NPT, has threatened to withdraw from the treaty, asserting that its nuclear program is peaceful. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has indicated that Iran is open to renewed diplomatic engagement, contingent upon the cessation of aggressive military actions.

The global nuclear threat has been escalating, with the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reporting that the steady decrease in nuclear warheads dismantled is being outpaced by the deployment of new ones. As of this week, SIPRI recorded a global inventory of 12,241 nuclear warheads, with 9,614 in military stockpiles and 2,100 kept on high operational alert. Hans M. Kristensen, an associate senior fellow with SIPRI, remarked, “The era of reductions in the number of nuclear weapons, which had lasted since the end of the Cold War, is coming to an end.”

Despite previous commitments by the Australian government to ratify the TPNW, no action has been taken as of yet. The current administration has indicated that they are considering the treaty systematically as part of their broader goals for nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. To date, 94 countries have signed the TPNW, with 73 having ratified it. However, no nuclear weapons states are party to the treaty, highlighting the challenges that lie ahead in achieving global nuclear disarmament.

The ongoing tensions in the Middle East underscore the critical need for immediate diplomatic efforts, as the repercussions of military actions threaten not only regional stability but also the global nuclear landscape. It is imperative for Australia to leverage its influence within international alliances to advocate for responsible policies that prioritize de-escalation and peace.

### Conclusion The situation between Israel and Iran serves as a stark reminder of the precarious state of global nuclear security. With increasing nuclear arsenals and diminishing arms control efforts, the call for responsible international action is more urgent than ever. Australia's role in this context could be pivotal, particularly if it chooses to champion diplomatic avenues that promote disarmament and prevent further escalation of conflict.