A group of US lawmakers are pressing the Trump administration to publicly acknowledge “Israel’s” undeclared nuclear weapons program, challenging a long-standing policy of strategic ambiguity.
In a letter addressed to Marco Rubio and obtained by The Washington Post, more than two dozen House Democrats, led by Joaquin Castro, argued that continued silence on the issue is no longer tenable.
“The risks of miscalculation, escalation, and nuclear use in this environment are not theoretical,” the lawmakers wrote, adding that Congress has a constitutional responsibility to be fully informed about the nuclear balance in the region.
Lawmakers cite escalation risks amid war on Iran
The call comes amid heightened tensions linked to the ongoing war on Iran, with lawmakers warning that a lack of transparency could increase the risk of miscalculation.
“We do not believe we have received that information,” the letter stated, referring to gaps in congressional briefings on nuclear risk scenarios and contingency planning.
US officials speaking anonymously also acknowledged concerns within the administration regarding the clarity of “Israel’s” nuclear red lines.
Decades-long policy of nuclear ambiguity
“Israel” has never officially acknowledged its nuclear arsenal, maintaining a policy of ambiguity dating back to the late 1950s.
According to nuclear historian Avner Cohen, this posture was reinforced through an informal 1969 understanding between Richard Nixon and Golda Meir, under which Washington effectively accepted the policy and shielded it from scrutiny.
“This is something that people did not dare do before,” Cohen said, describing the lawmakers’ letter as a break from a decades-long bipartisan norm.
Growing debate inside Washington
The initiative reflects broader shifts within US political discourse, particularly among Democrats, regarding relations with “Israel”.
“We cannot develop coherent nonproliferation policy… while maintaining a policy of official silence,” the letter stated.
The Washington Post cites arms control expert Daryl Kimball, who noted that “Israel” remains strongly opposed to altering the status quo, as ambiguity allows it to deflect scrutiny toward other regional actors.
Concerns over nuclear threshold and regional risks
US officials have reportedly engaged in internal discussions about scenarios that could trigger a nuclear response by “Israel”, including situations where its air defense systems become overwhelmed.
One official described ongoing concerns about “what could compel them to use nuclear weapons short of facing a WMD attack,” pointing to uncertainties surrounding escalation thresholds.
Recent developments in West Asia, including Iran's retaliatory missile strikes near sensitive nuclear-related sites such as Dimona, have intensified these discussions.
Source:Websites
