Asger Risom
Iranian lawmakers are drafting a bill that could lead to Tehran’s exit from the NPT, raising global alarms as the country faces renewed Israeli strikes and international scrutiny over its nuclear ambitions.
Iran is weighing a dramatic shift in its nuclear policy that could reverberate across the region.
On Monday, the Iranian Foreign Ministry confirmed that lawmakers are preparing legislation that could see the country exit the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), a cornerstone of global nuclear diplomacy since 1970.
Lawmakers Signal a Possible Break
Speaking at a press conference, ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei acknowledged that “in light of recent developments, we will make an appropriate decision.”
While no final move has been made, he said the proposal is under preliminary review and that the government would coordinate with parliament if it moves forward.
As reported by Digi24, the NPT guarantees countries the right to pursue civilian nuclear energy in exchange for renouncing the development of nuclear weapons and cooperating with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Iran ratified the treaty in 1970 and has long claimed its nuclear program is peaceful.
Triggered by Strikes and Sanctions
The legislative push comes days after Israel launched a series of airstrikes on Iranian territory, citing fears that Tehran is nearing nuclear weapons capability. Iran maintains that its program aligns with a religious decree by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, which bans nuclear weapons.
However, the IAEA last week accused Iran of violating its NPT obligations, further intensifying scrutiny.
Baghaei suggested that the IAEA’s resolution, backed by several Western countries, served as a pretext for Israel’s attack. “Those who voted for the resolution prepared the ground for the strike,” he said.
Regional Tensions and Double Standards
Iran also pointed to Israel’s undeclared nuclear arsenal.
“The Zionist regime is the only holder of weapons of mass destruction in the region,” Baghaei said, noting that Israel has never signed the NPT and continues to evade international oversight.
While Iran’s parliament has not yet voted on the proposal, even the possibility of withdrawal raises fears of a deepening nuclear crisis and a collapse of diplomatic efforts to prevent proliferation.