The number of countries with nuclear potential is expected to double in the upcoming years, unless drastic nuclear disarmament measures are taken. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) head Mohamed El Baradei told the British Guardian Thursday that the danger of nuclear weaponry is greatest in the Middle East.
"When you see a lot of concern about the Middle East, it's a result of people feeling totally repressed by their own government and feeling unjustly treated by the outside world. This combination makes it a ticking bomb," IAEA’s outgoing director general said. He added that “virtual nuclear weapons states” such as Iran crop up, buying massive quantities of enriched uranium but stopping short of assembling an atomic bomb. This technically complies with the nuclear proliferation treaty which prevents them from stocking nuclear warheads.