US Vice President JD Vance, echoing President Donald Trump, says it is important to prevent Iran from having a nuclear weapon to prevent other countries from pursuing them.

“I think it’s important for the American people and all of you to appreciate that when we say that it’s not just that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, it’s what would happen if the Iranians did get a nuclear weapon,” he tells reporters during a press briefing.

“We know that a lot of nations all across the Gulf would then want their own nuclear weapon, and then a lot of nations all across the world, and what has been a very effective bright spot of American foreign policy, really for the last 20 or so years, would disappear overnight.”

He adds, “If you have every country in the world scrambling to try and get a nuclear weapon, it would make us all much less safe, and Iran would really be the first domino in what would set off a nuclear arms race all around the world.”

Opinion

Editorial

External woes
Updated 21 May, 2026

External woes

Relying indefinitely on remittances to offset structural economic weaknesses is not sustainable.
Political activity
21 May, 2026

Political activity

THE opposition is astir. There is talk of widespread protests this Friday over a list of dissatisfactions with the...
Seizing hope
21 May, 2026

Seizing hope

ISRAEL’S tyranny knows no bounds. After intercepting the Global Sumud Flotilla that set sail last week, disturbing...
Hormuz gamble
20 May, 2026

Hormuz gamble

The Strait of Hormuz has become the real centre of the confrontation.
The unkindest cut
20 May, 2026

The unkindest cut

SUICIDE, a complex symptom of deep despair triggered by mental health problems, is hardly a moral issue. Punitive...
Ad hoc culture
20 May, 2026

Ad hoc culture

THE Supreme Court’s ruling against prolonged ad hoc and acting appointments is an indictment of a deeply ...