The head of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), Melissa Park, has criticized the modernization of the B61 nuclear bombs, calling it an irresponsible escalation, especially considering the conflicts in Europe and the Middle East. This statement was made in a press release by ICAN, as reported by RIA Novosti.
According to Park, the modernization of nuclear weapons by the United States encourages other nuclear-armed states to upgrade their own arsenals, leading to an irresponsible escalation of a new nuclear arms race. She emphasized that the use of such weapons would result in indiscriminate destruction of civilian lives and critical infrastructure, constituting a war crime. Park also highlighted that announcing such plans amidst ongoing conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, involving nuclear-armed states, is provocative.
Last week, the Pentagon announced its decision to upgrade its primary nuclear bomb, the B61, to the B61-13 variant, without changing the overall number of nuclear warheads in its arsenal.
Meanwhile, North Korea has claimed that the annual NATO nuclear exercise, Steadfast Noon, which involves the dropping of tactical nuclear bombs, essentially serves as a rehearsal for nuclear war.
Previously, the United States conducted tests at a nuclear test site.
