What Happens If Nuclear Weapons Are Used? What Makes Them Worst

The US-Israel and Iran conflict has led to deadly conflict in the Middle East region. The ongoing conflict is centred around Tehran's nuclear ambition. While US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not want Iran to obtain nuclear weapons, late Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had different plans as he continued efforts despite warnings.

All this has brought nuclear weapons back into focus. Nuclear weapons are considered the primary Weapon of Mass Destruction (WMD). They can cause massive destruction, kill millions and also damage the environment. Due to their destructive capabilities, a global regulation exists for their use. The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), adopted in 1970, restricts the use of nuclear weapons.

What Are Nuclear Weapons?

The United Nations defines nuclear weapons as explosive devices deriving destructive force from nuclear fission and fusion. They cause massive damage through blast, heat, and radiation.

"Nuclear weapons are the most dangerous weapons on earth. One can destroy a whole city, potentially killing millions, and jeopardising the natural environment and lives of future generations through its long-term catastrophic effects," a statement by the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs noted.

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When Were Nuclear Weapons Used?

So far, nuclear weapons have been used twice in warfare. They were used in the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan in 1945. According to the UN report, over 2,000 nuclear tests have been conducted to, date.

What Makes Nuclear Weapons The Worst?

Can destroy a city within seconds: Nuclear weapons release great explosive force and radiation within seconds, and are mostly viewed as immediately destructive. A single nuclear detonation can destroy a city within minutes. The explosions can cause infrastructure collapse by destroying hospitals, roads, power grids, and communication systems.

Radiation can affect people for years: Another worst impact is on the environment, as a nuclear explosion contaminates land, water, and air. The radiation from a nuclear explosion can last for years or even decades, increasing cancer rates and making areas uninhabitable.

Global war: The biggest risk of using nuclear weapons is possible escalation to global war. They are state-controlled and bound to military doctrine. Their use can quickly escalate into full-scale war between nuclear-armed states. This further threatens global civilisation.

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