A speedbump, not a roadblock for Iran's nuclear programme

The Detail

Information about Iran's nuclear programme is highly secretive, but experts say the bombings may not have been a huge setback

US President Trump said his bombs 'obliterated' nuclear facilities in Iran, but a nuclear scientist here in New Zealand says 'you can't destroy knowledge'

It's a long time since we've been on the edge of our seats wondering if a full-blown nuclear war is about to happen.

But many had that sensation when the US President said last weekend that Iran's nuclear facilities had been "completely and totally obliterated".

Trump's bullseye claim is now in question but the bombing had many experts talking about the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 at the height of the Cold War between the US and the Soviet Union.

"They were very real fears and there were some very close calls, in particular during the Cuban Missile Crisis we now know the world came incredibly close to nuclear conflict," international law and nuclear weapons expert Anna Hood of Auckland University says.

People feared then that the "Cold War would turn hot". Since then we have had volatile moments and right now the risk is heightened, she says.

"There were higher numbers of weapons during the Cold War. We have seen some level of disarmament since then but we haven't seen enough movement in the last few years. The numbers are still very high."

Not only have the numbers stayed high, but countries are trying to upgrade and enhance the weapons they do have, she says.

"I would like to hope that most states, all states, wouldn't go there [nuclear war] or even if they've got nuclear weapons that that's not what they'll use but I think there are very serious risks in terms of what happens in the heat of a conflict, in terms of accidents."

Hood focuses much of her time on the numerous nuclear issues afflicting the world today and how to work towards a nuclear-free world.

"We are a long way unfortunately from that," she admits, pointing to the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists' annual Doomsday Clock showing we are closer than ever – 89 seconds to midnight, and catastrophe.

Hood tells The Detail why the US strike on Iran is a violation of international law and the possible consequences.

While the impact of the B2 stealth bomber attacks is still not clear, senior physics lecturer at Auckland University David Krofcheck says it does not end Iran's nuclear amibitions…

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details