Arms control & disarmament stories

Sep 22, 2026

South Korean president Lee Jae Myung urges US to ease North Korea sanctions in exchange for nuclear freeze

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has called on the United States to ease sanctions on North Korea in exchange for Pyongyang freezing its nuclear weapons programs, breaking from precedent by publicly advocating for sanctions relief over full denuclearization. Lee told The New York Times he sees "significant value" in such a trade-off under current circumstances.

Sep 22, 20269 sources

Sep 17, 2026

US and China security experts propose nuclear-style safeguards for military AI

Security experts from the United States and China have proposed red lines for military artificial intelligence modeled on nuclear weapons protocols, including banning AI from independently controlling nuclear launch decisions. The proposal also calls for a military AI hotline between the two nations and shared definitions of human control.

Sep 17, 20263 sources

Sep 16, 2026

North Korea declares nuclear status 'irreversible' after IAEA resolution criticizing weapons program

Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, rejected a UN atomic agency resolution criticizing Pyongyang's nuclear program, calling the country's nuclear-armed status 'absolute' and 'irreversible.' North Korea accused the IAEA of double standards and cited US-led military buildup as justification for expanding its nuclear arsenal.

Sep 16, 20265 sources

Sep 14, 2026

US confirms for first time it has deployed weapons in space

Air Force Secretary Troy Meink announced at the Air and Space Cyber Conference in Maryland that the United States has deployed 'on-orbit space control weapons' capable of defending against hostile adversary action. The announcement marks the first public acknowledgment of offensive space-based weapons capabilities, widely seen as a warning to China and Russia.

Sep 14, 20267 sources

US confirms deployment of weapons in space for first time

The US Space Force publicly confirmed for the first time that the United States has weapons deployed in orbit, stating it has 'on-orbit space control weapons capable of defending the Joint Force against hostile adversary action.' The disclosure came as the US, China, and Russia expand military capabilities in space.

Sep 14, 20266 sources

Sep 13, 2026

Iran's nuclear chief unable to attend IAEA conference due to international travel ban

The head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization will not attend the UN nuclear watchdog's annual conference in Vienna for the first time in years due to an international travel ban. Austria's request for a waiver to allow his attendance was not granted, amid ongoing tensions over Iran's restrictions on IAEA inspectors since June 2025.

Sep 13, 20264 sources

Sep 11, 2026

UN Security Council extends partial Sudan arms embargo for one month amid US push for total ban

The UN Security Council unanimously voted to extend the current arms embargo on Sudan's Darfur region for one month while negotiations continue on a contentious US proposal to expand the embargo nationwide. Sudan's UN ambassador argued that a total arms embargo would violate the UN Charter's guarantee of countries' right to self-defense.

Sep 11, 20265 sources

Sep 9, 2026

North Korea builds new uranium enrichment facility at Yongbyon

IAEA reports North Korea has constructed a new two-story uranium enrichment facility at its main Yongbyon nuclear complex that could house up to 28 centrifuge cascades, and started operating an expanded annex at Kangson enrichment site.

Sep 9, 20268 sources

Aug 25, 2026

Rebel group kills 27 in Sudan's South Kordofan as US envoy calls for arms embargo

The Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North, aligned with the Rapid Support Forces, killed 27 people including four children in attacks in South Kordofan, according to the Sudan Doctors Network. The violence comes as Trump's Africa envoy calls for a country-wide UN arms embargo amid escalating drone attacks.

Aug 25, 20265 sources

Aug 18, 2026

UN nuclear watchdog finds tons of nuclear material at undeclared Syrian sites

International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors visited previously undeclared Assad-era nuclear sites in Syria for the first time this week, with IAEA chief Rafael Grossi reporting the discovery of several tons of nuclear materials. Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani stated the material is not dangerous as Damascus pledges to strengthen safeguards.

Aug 18, 20264 sources

Aug 7, 2026

Pentagon Schedules First Tests of Golden Dome Space-Based Missile Defense System for Late 2026, Flight Demonstrations in 2027

The Pentagon has announced plans to conduct initial tests of its Golden Dome space-based missile defense program by the end of 2026, with flight demonstrations of the interceptor technology scheduled for 2027. The program, which revives Reagan-era space defense concepts, will provide $60 million to manufacturers upon successful completion of ground tests.

Aug 7, 20269 sources

Jul 22, 2026

Trump approves Saudi Arabia nuclear deal allowing uranium enrichment

The Trump administration plans to submit to Congress a nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia that lacks traditional safeguards preventing materials from being used for weapons, according to multiple sources.

Jul 22, 20264 sources

Trump Approves U.S.–Saudi Nuclear Cooperation Agreement That Could Permit Uranium Enrichment

Trump's administration is preparing to submit to Congress a 30-year "123 Agreement" with Saudi Arabia that omits both the IAEA's Additional Protocol and the "gold standard" bar on uranium enrichment, while making no mention of Saudi normalization with Israel.

Jul 22, 20265 sources

Jul 9, 2026

North Korea Announces Plans to Expand Nuclear Arsenal and Boost Intelligence Operations in South Korea

North Korea has decided on measures to strengthen its nuclear forces both quantitatively and qualitatively, while also expanding its military intelligence activities focused on South Korea, according to state media KCNA following a military commission meeting led by Kim Jong Un.

Jul 9, 20265 sources

Jul 6, 2026

UN Secretary-General Calls for International Ban on Lethal Autonomous Weapons

UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for lethal autonomous weapons systems to be banned by international law, resurfacing longstanding debates about 'killer robots' in warfare.

Jul 6, 20262 sources

China Conducts Rare Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile Test in Pacific Ocean

China test-fired a long-range ballistic missile from a nuclear submarine into the Pacific Ocean, drawing criticism from Australia, New Zealand, and Japan over actions threatening regional peace and stability.

Jul 6, 202613 sources

Jun 22, 2026

VP JD Vance announces progress in Iran nuclear talks, says Tehran agrees to allow inspectors

Vice President JD Vance said Monday that Iran has agreed to allow nuclear inspectors back into the country following talks with senior Iranian officials in Switzerland, describing the discussions as creating a 'good foundation' for a final deal to resolve the conflict between the two nations.

Jun 22, 20262 sources

Jun 17, 2026

VP Vance delays Switzerland trip for Iran Nuclear talks, criticizes Israel over deal opposition

Vice President JD Vance postponed his trip to Geneva for nuclear negotiations with Iran while sharply criticizing Israeli leaders for their reaction to a preliminary U.S.-Iran agreement. The Trump administration deal, which leaves many core issues unresolved, has drawn strong opposition from Israel.

Jun 17, 20264 sources

Jun 2, 2026

Iran-backed Iraqi militias announce weapons handover as Iran touts hidden military production sites

Two of Iraq's most powerful Iran-backed militias have announced they will begin handing over their weapons to Iraqi authorities, even as a senior Iranian IRGC commander boasted that Iran's military production facilities remain completely hidden from adversaries including the US and Israel.

Jun 2, 20263 sources

May 15, 2026

Trump-Xi Summit in Beijing Concludes With Cordial Tone but Limited Concrete Achievements

President Donald Trump wrapped up a historic summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on May 14-15, 2026, with both leaders claiming progress on bilateral relations. However, the meetings produced few clear breakthroughs on key issues including trade, arms control, and denuclearization.

May 15, 20266 sources

Trump Allows Iran 20 Years to Enrich Uranium in Potential Nuclear Deal Framework

President Trump indicated willingness to allow Iran to enrich uranium after a 20-year period as part of nuclear negotiations, marking a significant shift from previous US positions that sought permanent restrictions on Iran's nuclear program.

May 15, 20261 source

May 13, 2026

Russia Successfully Tests New Sarmat Nuclear Missile

Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed the test launch of the new Sarmat strategic nuclear missile, describing it as 'the most powerful in the world.' State TV broadcast footage of the test conducted by Strategic Missile Forces commander Sergei Karakayev.

May 13, 20261 source

May 11, 2026

Iran Offers to Transfer Enriched Uranium Abroad but Rejects Dismantling Nuclear Sites

Iran indicated willingness to transfer enriched uranium out of the country as part of peace negotiations but refused to dismantle nuclear sites, a key sticking point in talks with the United States.

May 11, 20262 sources

May 3, 2026

Russia and China Back North Korea at UN Security Council Nonproliferation Meeting

Russia and China openly supported North Korea at a UN Security Council meeting on nonproliferation, with UN officials warning that DPRK's continued nuclear weapons and ballistic missile development remains a serious concern. Evidence shows vessels loading North Korean coal and iron ore at ports for export to destinations including China.

May 3, 20263 sources

Apr 29, 2026

IAEA Chief Says Iran's Highly Enriched Uranium Likely Still Buried at Isfahan Site

International Atomic Energy Agency director Rafael Grossi said most of Iran's highly enriched uranium stockpile remains likely stored at the Isfahan nuclear complex, though IAEA inspectors have been blocked from verifying the site since the 2025 war.

Apr 29, 20263 sources

Apr 28, 2026

Trump Claims King Charles Agrees Iran Must Never Have a Nuclear Weapon

At the White House state dinner, President Trump claimed King Charles III shares his position on Iran's nuclear program, saying "Charles agrees with me even more than I do, we're never going to let that opponent have a nuclear weapon", drawing the traditionally apolitical monarch into a live diplomatic controversy.

Apr 28, 20264 sources

Apr 23, 2026

International Concerns Mount Over Iran's Nuclear Stockpile, Including 2,100 kg of Bushehr Plutonium

International monitoring bodies report Iran's enriched uranium stockpile has increased significantly, while a Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists analysis highlights approximately 2,100 kilograms of weapons-usable plutonium stored at the Bushehr nuclear power plant—enough material for over 200 nuclear weapons—as missing from current US-Iran negotiations.

Apr 23, 20262 sources

Apr 22, 2026

Competing Analyses Diverge on Iran's Nuclear Weapons Capability

An Al Jazeera explainer cites MIT's Ted Postol arguing Iran could refine its 440 kilograms of 60 percent enriched uranium to weapons-grade in four to five weeks, while a Juan Cole interview with nuclear physicist Mehran Mostafavi contends Iran abandoned its nuclear weapons program in 1992 and never had a substantive one.

Apr 22, 20262 sources

Apr 13, 2026

Iran's Nuclear Program Survives Five Weeks of US-Israeli Strikes, Retains Bomb-Making Capability and Leverage in Talks

Iran's nuclear program has survived five weeks of US and Israeli bombing with most of the infrastructure needed to make a nuclear bomb intact according to officials and experts, posing a challenge for US negotiators. Vice President JD Vance identified Iran's nuclear ambitions as the 'critical flashpoint' behind the collapse of 21-hour emergency talks in Islamabad.

Apr 13, 20264 sources

Apr 9, 2026

France Announces €36 Billion Defense Spending Increase and Nuclear Arsenal Expansion

France unveiled plans to add €36 billion to defense spending through 2030, including expansion of its nuclear arsenal and major increases in missile and drone stockpiles. The country will boost drone stocks by 400 percent in response to Russia threat.

Apr 9, 20262 sources

North Korea Tests Electromagnetic Weapon and Carbon Fiber Bomb

North Korea conducted tests of new weapons systems including an electromagnetic weapon and a carbon fiber bomb, according to state media reports. The tests represent continued advancement of Pyongyang's military capabilities.

Apr 9, 20262 sources

Mar 31, 2026

Warren Buffett Warns Iran With Nuclear Weapons Would Make Nuclear Disaster Harder to Avoid

Warren Buffett, who has long warned about the dangers of nuclear weapons proliferation, said on CNBC's Squawk Box that Iran acquiring nuclear weapons would significantly raise the risk of nuclear conflict, identifying unstable leaders facing personal or political pressure as the greatest danger and predicting nuclear weapons will likely be used within the next 100 to 200 years.

Mar 31, 20262 sources

Mar 29, 2026

Satellite Image Suggests Iran Transferred Highly Enriched Uranium to Isfahan Before US Strikes

An analysis of June 2025 satellite imagery published by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists and Le Monde indicates Iran likely moved up to 540 kilograms of highly enriched uranium to an underground complex at Isfahan in the days before US and Israeli military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

Mar 29, 20262 sources

Mar 20, 2026

IAEA Chief and Harvard Expert Say Iran's Nuclear Capabilities Survived US-Israeli Strikes, Contradicting Trump's 'Obliterated' Claim

International Atomic Energy Agency director Rafael Grossi told CBS News that Iran's nuclear program retained major capabilities after US-Israeli strikes, with approximately 972 pounds of 60-percent enriched uranium and centrifuge expertise intact, while Harvard's Matthew Bunn published an analysis in Asia Times arguing the materials were 'by no means obliterated,' contradicting US administration claims that the program was destroyed.

Mar 20, 20263 sources