Eliyahu's statement is considered a de facto admission that Israel does have nuclear weapons. Russia through its Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Maria Zakharova said that Israel appeared to have admitted that it had nuclear weapons. She criticized the role of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and international nuclear inspectors who have not followed up on the admission.
Just like Zakharova, Turkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also appears to believe that Israel has nuclear weapons, although Tel Aviv has repeatedly denied this. He also said he would ask the United Nations Security Council and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to investigate Israel's possession of nuclear weapons.
So far, Israel has not officially confirmed or denied having nuclear weapons. Eliyahu's statement confirms the long-standing suspicion that Israel does have nuclear weapons. Investigations by the IAEA are critical to ensuring that nuclear energy is developed and used by a country for peaceful purposes. If not, then the nuclear weapons suspected of being owned by Israel could trigger a nuclear arms race in the Middle East.
However, the request for the IAEA to investigate Israel's possession of nuclear weapons is difficult to realize. This is because Israel is not a signatory to the 1965 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which requires its members to be targets of IAEA inspections. So, it will be difficult for the international community to force Israel to reveal its nuclear weapons.
Recognizing this, Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Mariano Grossi repeated the call for all countries in the Middle East, including Israel, to join the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
Speaking to journalists in Vienna on Wednesday (22/11), as quoted by Antara, Grossi urged all countries to join the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, which aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and nuclear-related weapons technology. Grossi also reminded that the IAEA General Assembly, the board of directors, and he himself have repeatedly called on all countries in the Middle East, including Israel, to join the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
It is not easy to lobby or ask Israel to join the IAEA. Diplomatic efforts need to continue so that Israel joins the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Only by joining the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty can Israel be required to comply and commit to opening all of its nuclear facilities to comprehensive nuclear inspections.