Vance: US wants to keep number of nuclear-armed states "small"

U.S. Vice President JD Vance said on May 19 that preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons remains a key priority for Washington, warning that nuclear proliferation in the Middle East could have global consequences.

He noted that if Iran acquires a nuclear weapon, countries around the Gulf would want their own weapons, and other countries across the world would as well, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media. 

“We want to keep the number of countries that have nuclear weapons small, and that's why Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,” he added.

Meanwhile, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on May 20 that Iran’s current leadership, like previous administrations, remains committed to not possessing nuclear weapons.

Ryabkov emphasised that the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons was created specifically to address such concerns and contains all necessary obligations regarding nuclear activities.

He also noted that the Iranian side “has never refused to comply with the provisions of this document.”

By Sabina Mammadli