US preaches peaceful nukes to Iran while expanding its own arsenal

US Vice President JD Vance recently stated that the United States is open to Iran developing a peaceful civil nuclear program, provided it does not lead to nuclear weaponization. This position was articulated during the Munich Security Conference in Washington, D.C., where Vance emphasized the importance of preventing nuclear proliferation while integrating Iran into the global economy.

“We think that there is a deal here that would really integrate Iran into the global economy, that would be really good for the Iranian people, but would result in the complete cessation of any chance that they get a nuclear weapon — that’s what we’re negotiating towards,” Vance said.

Vance clarified that while the US does not oppose Iran having nuclear power for civilian purposes, it firmly opposes any enrichment activities that could lead to weaponization. He stated, “Our proposition is very simple. We don’t care if people want nuclear power. We’re fine with that. But you can’t have the kind of enrichment program that allows you to get to a nuclear weapon, and that’s where we draw the line,” according to ynet.

According to The Times of Israel, These remarks come amid ongoing negotiations between the US and Iran, with the next round of talks expected to take place in Oman. The discussions aim to find a diplomatic solution that prevents Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons while allowing for peaceful nuclear energy development.

However, this stance has drawn criticism due to the United States’ simultaneous efforts to modernize and expand its own nuclear arsenal. The US is accelerating the development and deployment of the B61-13 nuclear gravity bomb, a new weapon with a significantly higher yield than its predecessors. The B61-13 is designed to enhance the US’s strategic capabilities, particularly in targeting hardened and underground facilities.

The B61-13 bomb incorporates advanced safety and control features and is intended for deployment on modern aircraft platforms like the B-21 Raider. The decision to expedite its development has raised concerns about the potential for a new arms race and the message it sends to other nations regarding nuclear proliferation.

Critics argue that while the US demands strict limitations on Iran’s nuclear program, it continues to enhance its own nuclear capabilities, leading to accusations of double standards. The deployment of new nuclear weapons in Europe, under the NATO Nuclear Weapons Sharing Program, further exacerbates these concerns.

President Trump’s aggressive stance against Iran’s nuclear program reveals more than geopolitical posturing—it exposes the deep-rooted double standard at the heart of Western nuclear diplomacy. As Washington pours billions into modernizing its own atomic arsenal, it simultaneously seeks to deny Tehran the right to pursue nuclear advancement under international law. Iran, asserting its sovereign right to scientific and technological self-determination, has become a symbol of resistance against a global order where deterrence is monopolized by the few. With negotiations teetering and tensions escalating, the question is no longer about compliance—but about fairness, equity, and the unraveling legitimacy of the West’s nuclear monopoly.