Advertisement
Will the US strikes on Iran push China and North Korea to ramp up their nuclear arms programmes?
The American attacks could erode non-proliferation efforts around the world and set a dangerous precedent for the Asia-Pacific, observers say
Reading Time:3 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
30
Hayley Wongin Beijing
Instead of crushing Tehran’s nuclear programme, Israeli and US strikes on Iranian facilities in the past week might have dealt a blow to international nuclear non-proliferation efforts.
Analysts warned that the attacks might not only encourage Iran to accelerate its nuclear weapon programme, but also prompt countries such as China and North Korea to expand their deterrence efforts.
The pre-emptive strikes also risked setting a precedent for US adversaries to justify similar action against any serious efforts by the US’ Asia-Pacific partners to gain their own nuclear weapons, they said.
Advertisement
After a series of Israeli assaults on Iran’s nuclear sites, the US on Sunday deployed more than 125 aircraft and a submarine in an operation to attack three Iranian nuclear sites.
The targeted action against Iran – which Israel sees as an existential threat – was one of the largest efforts to set back Iranian enrichment efforts.
Advertisement
Following the strike, Iran’s parliament unanimously agreed to suspend all cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations nuclear watchdog that monitors the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT).
Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x