US warns countries against aiding terrorists eyeing nuke weapons

The United States has warned countries against supporting non-state actors and terrorist in groups trying to obtain or employ nuclear weapons.

"The US will hold accountable any state or non-state actor that supports terrorist efforts to obtain or employ a nuclear weapon," Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Tom Shannon, told reporters at a Pentagon news conference where the Trump Administration rolled out its 2018 Nuclear Posture Review (NPR).Neither Shannon nor the NPR report, running into 100 pages, identified any country which could be seen aiding terrorist groups in this regard.US officials have in the past expressed concern over the possibility of nuclear weapons of Pakistan landing into the hands of non-state actors or terrorist groups and thus has been working with Islamabad in enhancing the security of its nuclear weapons. Pakistan has repeatedly denied such fears and asserted that its nuclear arsenals are one of the safest and secure ones in the world. Shannon said that nuclear terrorism remained a major threat in the 21st century and countries need to work to mitigate it.

"The potential threat of non-state actors getting their hands on a nuclear weapon remains at the front of all of our minds," Shannon told reporters at a news conference held at the Pentagon. Deputy Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette said the US will keep a close watch on nuclear proliferation activities. "The Department of Energy will continue to focus on nonproliferation, counterproliferation and counterterrorism. Together with our allies and partners, we have enjoyed great, great success in these areas," he said.