Which countries were suspected of having nuclear weapons?
There are currently five states considered to be "nuclear weapons states", an internationally recognized status conferred by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). [ In order of acquisition of nuclear weapons these are: the United States of America, Russia (formerly the Soviet Union), the United Kingdom, France, and the People's Republic of China. Since the formulation of the NPT, two non-signatory states of the NPT have conducted nuclear tests—India and Pakistan. North Korea has publicly declared itself to possess nuclear weapons though it has not conducted any confirmed tests and its
ultimate status is still unknown. Israel is strongly suspected to have an arsenal of nuclear weapons though it has never confirmed or denied this. There have been reports that over 100 nuclear weapons might be in their inventory. This status is not formally recognized by international bodies; none of these countries are currently signatories of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. There is some speculation that Iran has, or is preparing for, a secret nuclear weapons program. South Africa was once a nuclear weapons state but has since destroyed its former arsenal. ]
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