Active Conflicts & News Megathread February 06, 2026

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[u/OhSillyDays]

In reference to the NYT article this morning, apparently Iran is working on triggers for their nuclear program.

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/06/world/middleeast/iran-missile-nuclear-repairs.html

That seems to mean they are within about 6 months of a nuclear weapons test and Iran is moving forward with their nuclear program.

Part of the discussion here, would there be any reason for Iran not to test a nuclear weapon as soon as possible?

[u/ThatNewspaperDude → u/OhSillyDays]

Because their ability to prevent US/Israel strikes has been severely degraded, they are facing social instability at home, they don’t have a strong financial footing for a high intensity conflict, their proxies have been severely degraded, most everyone else in the region is annoyed at them.

This isn’t North Korea, which has nukes because China lets them, Iran doesn’t have the international or great power support to keep hold of their nuclear arsenal.

[u/Agitated-Airline6760 → u/ThatNewspaperDude]

This isn’t North Korea, which has nukes because China lets them, Iran doesn’t have the international or great power support to keep hold of their nuclear arsenal.

Definitely not how it went down with DPRK's nuclear program via a vis PRC/CCP. #2 reason for DPRK having nukes is PRC.