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Samson Option: Why Israel’s Nuclear ‘Last-Resort’ Doctrine Is Back in Focus Amid US-Israel War on Iran?

The Samson Option—Israel’s undeclared nuclear last‑resort doctrine—has resurfaced amid escalating Iran‑Israel hostilities, including hypersonic missile strikes and broader regional conflict. While Israel maintains strategic ambiguity about its nuclear arsenal, estimates suggest it holds around 90 warheads and delivery capabilities across air, land, and sea. Historically, the doctrine was a contingency during the 1967 Six‑Day War, and experts warn it could become actionable if Israel faces existential defeat. The renewed scrutiny underscores the doctrine’s role as a deterrent in a volatile Middle‑East security environment.