ABC News Daily How the Iran war increases the global nuclear threat
Mar 5, 2026
Kelsey Davenport, Director for Nonproliferation Policy at the Arms Control Association, explains nuclear proliferation risks and policy. She breaks down what was hit in Iran and what survived. She discusses dangers from struck enriched uranium and lost monitoring. She warns how actions can weaken nonproliferation norms and spur other states to consider weapons.
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Strikes Hurt But Did Not Obliterate Iran's Program
- U.S. and Israeli strikes damaged some Iranian enrichment sites but did not destroy the program or key materials.
- Natanz, Fordow, and tunnel entrances at Esfahan were hit, yet expertise and enough material to rebuild likely remain.
Monitoring Gaps Increase Diversion And Safety Risks
- Lack of IAEA monitoring during and after strikes raises diversion and safety risks for enriched uranium.
- Canisters are small (about the size of a scuba tank) and could be moved to covert sites while inspectors are absent.
Allied Nuclear Moves Reflect Eroding U.S. Credibility
- France's planned warhead increase reflects broader doubts about U.S. guarantees and perceived threats from Russia.
- The Iran strikes feed into an erosion of faith in U.S. extended deterrence and nonproliferation norms.