Tehran (TDI): Iran’s parliament is drafting legislation that could lead the country to withdraw from the landmark Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), a senior foreign ministry official said on Monday, as tensions escalate following Israeli airstrikes and increased scrutiny by the UN nuclear watchdog.
Speaking at a press briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said that while no final decision had been made, the proposed bill reflects growing concern within Iran’s political circles.
“In view of recent developments, a decision will be taken accordingly,” he noted. “The government is obligated to implement legislation passed by parliament, but this proposal is still in its early stages, and coordination will take place at the appropriate time.”
Iran has been a party to the NPT since 1970, a treaty that allows member states to pursue civilian nuclear technology while committing to refrain from developing nuclear weapons.
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Tehran has long insisted its nuclear program is strictly for peaceful purposes, and Iranian leaders have often pointed to a religious decree from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that forbids the development of nuclear weapons.
President Masoud Pezeshkian reaffirmed this position on Monday, saying that nuclear arms remain contrary to Iran’s official doctrine.
According to Iranian state media, parliament has not yet reached a decision on the proposed bill, and one lawmaker confirmed that the draft is still in its preliminary phase.
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Foreign ministry spokesman Baghaei blamed recent international developments for hardening Iran’s stance. “The actions of those who supported the IAEA resolution effectively paved the way for the Zionist regime’s aggression,” he said, referring to the Israeli strikes.
While Iran faces accusations of violating its NPT obligations, Israel, widely believed to possess nuclear weapons, has never signed the treaty. This double standard has long been a source of friction in the region.
“The Zionist regime remains the sole holder of weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East,” Baghaei said, adding that such realities influence Iran’s strategic calculations.
As debate continues in Tehran’s political corridors, international observers warn that any formal withdrawal from the NPT by Iran could mark a major turning point, further destabilizing an already volatile region.
