A senior Iranian lawmaker has indicated that members of the Islamic Republic’s parliament are contemplating withdrawal from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), reacting to escalated U.S. military actions against Iran. Historically, North Korea remains the only nation to withdraw from the NPT, citing perceived threats from the U.S. before it conducted its first nuclear test in 2006. Iran has consistently denied ambitions for nuclear weapons but is facing mounting internal pressure to reconsider its commitment to the NPT amidst recent attacks by Israel, bolstered by the U.S., which have ignited a regional conflict.
The Iranian parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, as expressed by its spokesperson Ebrahim Rezaei, is reviewing the NPT in light of these developments, suggesting a significant shift in parliamentary sentiment. They have criticized the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for its role and are considering halting cooperation with it. The Iranian Representative to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, echoed these sentiments, accusing the international community of failing to maintain the NPT’s integrity while decrying the military strikes as violations of international norms.
Rezaei has previously called for Iran’s exit from the NPT, particularly as hostilities with Israel have intensified following recent escalations. According to the NPT’s Article X, nations can withdraw if they believe extraordinary events jeopardize their core interests, requiring notification to the treaty’s other parties and the UN Security Council. Iran’s Foreign Ministry has indicated that an internal decision regarding NPT membership will be made soon, although public statements maintain Iran’s stance against nuclear weapon development.
Despite Iran’s official position, allegations from Israeli officials claim the country possesses enough nuclear material for up to 15 nuclear weapons, a claim Iran denies. Since the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear agreement in 2018, Iran has ramped up its uranium enrichment activities, intensifying international scrutiny. Although U.S. intelligence has suggested Iran is not actively pursuing nuclear weapons, debates within Iran regarding nuclear armament have surged, particularly under the pressure of the current conflict with Israel.
Amidst these developments, security experts in Iran like Alireza Taghavania suggest that Israeli attacks, supported by the U.S., may reinforce pro-nuclear sentiments among Iranian leadership, especially if they perceived the state’s survival as at risk. The Iranian mission to the UN has hinted at reevaluating its cooperation with international safeguards should its nuclear facilities come under attack, emphasizing the potential for significant ramifications concerning nuclear proliferation.
The international community is closely monitoring the crisis, with responses varying among nuclear powers. China, Russia, and Pakistan condemned U.S. strikes, while Western nations called for de-escalation and diplomacy. North Korea criticized both U.S. support for Israel and the broader impact of the strikes on regional stability, warning that these actions could lead to an increase in nuclear weapons production. Meanwhile, Russian officials have suggested that U.S. actions may inevitably lead to Iran advancing its nuclear ambitions, marking a troubling shift in the broader geopolitical landscape.
