Nine countries possess nuclear weapons, IAEA chief warns the number could rise to 25

(Patria) - The number of countries in the world with nuclear weapons could rise to 25, warns the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi.

- Without wanting to spread panic - Grossi told the Italian daily La Repubblica in an article published today, the risk of nuclear conflict is greater today than in the past.

Grossi suggested that at one point 20 to 25 countries could possess nuclear weapons, although he did not specify a timeframe.

Currently, there are nine nuclear powers, according to several experts.

- The process of disarmament or controlled reduction of nuclear arsenals has stalled. Those who possess nuclear weapons are producing more of them, including China - points out the head of the IAEA.

He notes that tactical nuclear attacks are increasingly being discussed casually, which he described as worrying.

Grossi added that he is concerned that the leaders of several countries have announced their intention to acquire nuclear weapons.

Asked to name which countries these are, Grossi said:

"As the director of the IAEA, I cannot say. These are important countries in Asia, Asia Minor, and the Persian Gulf. A world with 20 to 25 nuclear-armed states is unpredictable and dangerous."

The nine nuclear-armed states include the five permanent members of the UN Security Council - the USA, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, and China, as well as India, Pakistan, North Korea, and Israel.

This data comes from reports by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) and information from the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN).

It is estimated that they collectively possess approximately 12,000 nuclear weapons, of which Russia and the United States have about 10,700.