Archive · 19 Jun 2025
How Nine Countries Acquired Nuclear Weapons
Some countries have created nuclear weapons, which are very powerful and dangerous.
The US was the first to build them during World War II, testing its first bomb in 1945.
Other countries followed, like the Soviet Union and the UK.
Now, nine countries have these weapons, including the US, Russia, China, India, and others.
Israel has them, too, but has never confirmed it officially.
North Korea is also a nuclear power.
These weapons could cause a large war.
Nine countries possess nuclear weapons: US, Russia, France, China, UK, Pakistan, India, Israel, and North Korea.
The US developed nuclear weapons during WWII and tested its first bomb in 1945.
The Soviet Union tested its first nuclear bomb in 1949, later surpassing the US in warheads.
India conducted its first nuclear test in 1974 and became a nuclear state after tests in 1998.
Israel is widely believed to have developed nuclear weapons by the late 1960s.
- Who
- The United States, Russia, France, China, the United Kingdom, Pakistan, India, Israel, and North Korea.
- What
- The history and current status of countries with nuclear weapons.
- When
- From WWII to the present.
- Where
- Globally; specific countries mentioned.
- Why
- To provide a historical overview of nuclear weapon ownership.
Differing Views on Iran's Nuclear Program
Intelligence Assessments
Assessment of Iranian Nuclear Threat
Differing Views on Iran's Nuclear Program
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Iran was months away from nuclear weapons and an existential threat.
Intelligence Assessments
US intelligence and IAEA stated Iran halted its weapons program in 2003.
- Countries with Nuclear Weapons
- 9
- First Country
- United States
- US First Test
- 1945
- Soviet Union First Test
- 1949
- India First Test
- 1974
- Pakistan Nuclear Tests
- 1998
- Israel's Status
- Widely believed to have nuclear weapons.
