Military Strikes Fail to Advance Nonproliferation, ICAN Warns

Alicia Sanders-Zakre of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons says recent US and Israeli strikes on Iran demonstrate that military action cannot achieve nonproliferation objectives. She warns such attacks on nuclear sites risk long-term radioactive contamination, endangering civilians, infrastructure and the environment. Sanders-Zakre also cautions that strikes against nuclear facilities are prohibited under international law and could undermine established nonproliferation norms and mechanisms. According to her, using force in this way risks escalation and sets a dangerous precedent that weakens diplomatic and legal avenues for preventing the spread of nuclear weapons. ICAN’s statement underscores the organization’s position that non-military measures — including legal, diplomatic and cooperative approaches — are the sustainable means to advance disarmament and prevent proliferation. Published on 7 Apr 2026