Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) & Iran’s Nuclear Programme

Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) & Iran’s Nuclear Programme

  • Context:

  • The geopolitical landscape has intensified with new military offensives in Iran, despite progress in nuclear talks in Geneva.

  • This brings the focus back to Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) and the international frameworks designed to control them

  • Definition of WMDs:

  • As affirmed by the UN General Assembly in 1977, WMDs include:

  • Atomic explosive weapons.

  • Radioactive material weapons.

  • Lethal chemical and biological weapons.

  • Future weapons with comparable destructive effects.

  • Key Characteristics:

  • WMDs are distinct because they can:

  • Cause enormous destruction in a single moment, killing millions and jeopardizing the natural environment.

  • Disseminate disease-causing organisms or toxins.

  • Deliver nuclear, chemical, or biological agents for hostile use.

  • Types of WMD:

WMD Types

Core Nature

Examples

Relevant International Convention/Treaty

Nuclear

Atomic / thermonuclear explosive devices

Atomic bomb (Hiroshima, 1945)   Hydrogen bomb (Thermonuclear weapon)

Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), 1968

Chemical

Toxic chemical agents

-Sarin gas   -Mustard gas   -VX nerve agent

Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), 1993

Biological

Pathogens or toxins

- Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis)   - Smallpox virus   - Botulinum toxin

Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), 1972

Radiological

Radioactive material dispersal

“Dirty Bomb” (Radiological Dispersal Device)

Covered under broader nuclear non-proliferation frameworks

Future / Emerging WMD (as per UN definition)

Weapons comparable in destructive effect to CBRN

Hypothetical advanced radiological or genetically engineered agents

UN General Assembly Resolution (1948 definition reaffirmed)

  • Key Treaties:

  • Multilateral treaties exist to outlaw specific classes of WMDs:

  • Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) outlaws’ biological arms.

  • Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) prohibits chemical weapons.

  • Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of nuclear weapons (NPT) aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons.

  • The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) prohibits nuclear testing.

  • Iran Nuclear Programme & The Deal:

  • The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was a landmark agreement between Iran and the P5+1 (China, France, Germany, Russia, UK, US).

  • It led to the lifting of sanctions in exchange for Iran curbing its nuclear programme.

  • The UN Security Council endorsed this via Resolution 2231.

  • US Withdrawal:

  • The Trump administration withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018 because it did not address Iran’s ballistic missile programme, leading to reimposed sanctions.

  • Before the recent attacks, fresh talks in Geneva mediated by Oman had made progress.

  • A draft agreement reportedly included a new concession where Iran would undertake not to possess nuclear material capable of making a bomb—a step beyond the original deal.