Iran considers nuclear treaty exit

Iran may reconsider its membership in the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the foreign ministry said on Monday, as parliament prepares a draft bill in response to rising regional tensions and Israeli military action.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stated that while the proposal is in early stages, any final decision would follow coordination between the government and parliament. He added that Israel’s recent attack on Iranian territory and a resolution from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had escalated matters and influenced Tehran’s strategic calculations.

Iran, a signatory of the NPT since 1970, maintains its nuclear programme is peaceful. It says tht it opposes nuclear weapons in line with a religious edict by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. However, the IAEA recently accused Iran of violating its NPT obligations.

Israeli officials claimed last week that Tehran was close to developing a nuclear bomb, prompting strikes on Iranian targets. Israel, which is not an NPT member, is widely believed by regional neighbours to possess nuclear weapons.

Iranian state media and lawmakers confirmed that no final decision has been made on leaving the treaty.

Attribution: Reuters
Subediting: M. S. Salama