Is World War III Coming? Countries Ready with Nuclear Weapons

As tensions escalate between Israel and Iran, many around the world are beginning to ask, is the world on the brink of another global war? 

For the past nine days, Israel has intensified its offensive against Iran, claiming its regional rival is secretly developing a nuclear weapon. Iran, while not confirming or denying the accusation, has remained firm deepening fears that the confrontation could spiral into something far more dangerous.

At the core of the conflict is nuclear power, who has it, who’s building it, and what the consequences could be if it’s ever used.

9 countries with the dangerous weapons

Only nine countries officially possess nuclear weapons. These include the United States, Russia, China, France, the United Kingdom, India, Pakistan, North Korea, and Israel. Iran is notably not on this list, at least for now.

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) and the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), the world’s nuclear arsenal currently sits at around 12,331 warheads. Out of this number, over 9,600 are considered active and part of military stockpiles.

Although this number is far below the 70,000 warheads stockpiled during the Cold War, experts warn that the trend is shifting again. A new nuclear arms race appears to be brewing, with multiple countries modernizing and expanding their nuclear programs.

Who has the most nuclear weapons?

The United States and Russia dominate the list, jointly holding about 90% of the world’s nuclear weapons. Russia currently leads with around 5,449 warheads, while the United States follows closely with 5,244. 

hese warheads are not only stationed within their borders but also hosted in allied countries such as Turkey, Italy, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Here’s a breakdown of nuclear weapons by country, based on recent estimates:

CountryEstimated WarheadsRussia5,449United States5,244China600France290United Kingdom225India180Pakistan170Israel90 (estimated)North Korea50 (estimated)

It’s important to note that some of these numbers—especially from countries like Israel and North Korea—are based on intelligence estimates, not confirmed public data.

Nuclear power as protection?

The situation in the Middle East is reigniting a grim truth in global politics: nuclear weapons are increasingly viewed as a form of deterrence. Countries that possess them tend to face less military aggression, making the pursuit of nuclear capability more attractive to vulnerable states.

This logic, however, creates a dangerous cycle. As more nations attempt to join the nuclear club, the risk of miscalculation, accidental launches, or deliberate use becomes harder to ignore.

Is nuclear war possible?

The nightmare scenario, a full-blown nuclear war has always hovered over global affairs since World War II. 

And while the doctrine of “Mutually Assured Destruction” has prevented its use so far, the current volatility between Israel and Iran, combined with broader geopolitical tensions, has reignited global fears.

The recent Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear facility in Isfahan only fuels these anxieties. While Iranian officials claim there was no radioactive leak or civilian risk, the symbolic message is clear: the shadow of nuclear conflict is growing darker.