Which Countries Currently Have Nuclear Weapons

Iran, while not currently possessing nuclear weapons, remains a focus of international scrutiny. A signatory of the NPT, Iran has long insisted that its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes.

- TDG NETWORK

As of 2025, nine countries either officially possess nuclear weapons or are widely believed to have them, marking a persistent global challenge to non-proliferation and disarmament efforts. These nations are the United States, Russia, China, France, the United Kingdom, India, Pakistan, Israel, and North Korea.

The first five countries to develop nuclear weapons—known as the original nuclear weapons states—are the United States, Russia (formerly the Soviet Union), China, France, and the United Kingdom. These nations are all signatories to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT), which was enacted in 1970. The NPT is designed to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, promote peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and encourage nuclear disarmament. Under the treaty, these five states are recognized as nuclear-armed but are also obligated to work towards disarmament and to refrain from aiding other countries in developing nuclear weapons.