New US policy limits role of N arsenal

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WASHINGTON, Apr 7 (AFP): The United States (US) unveiled new limits on the nation's nuclear arsenal Tuesday, saying it would only use atomic weapons in 'extreme circumstances' and would not attack non-nuclear states.
In a policy shift, the United States said for the first time that countries without atomic weapons that complied with non- proliferation treaty obligations need not fear a US nuclear attack. But President Barack Obama warned exceptions could be made for 'outliers' such as Iran and North Korea, both accused of flouting UN resolutions.
"Indeed, the United States wishes to stress that it would only consider the use of nuclear weapons in extreme circumstances to defend the vital interests of the United States or its allies and partners," a new policy document said.
The Nuclear Posture Review released Tuesday also described 'nuclear terrorism' as an immediate and extreme threat, with efforts to prevent the spread of atomic weapons given top priority.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton described the threat of nuclear terrorism as 'very real' and said networks around the world were trying to obtain access to radiological materials.
Meanwhile, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Wednesday warned his US counterpart Barack Obama of a 'tooth- breaking' response, as he condemned Washington's new nuclear policy.
"I hope these published comments are not true... he (Obama) has threatened with nuclear and chemical weapons those nations which do not submit to the greed of the United States," Ahmadinejad said.