Non-Proliferation Treaty

The NPT, opened for signature in 1968 and in force since 1970, rests on three pillars: non-nuclear states pledge not to acquire weapons; the five recognised nuclear powers commit to eventual disarmament; and all parties gain access to peaceful nuclear technology. With 191 states parties, it is the most widely subscribed arms control treaty in history. The IAEA administers safeguards under the treaty.

Iran filed priority legislation in 2026 to withdraw from the NPT, introduced by Tehran MP Malek Shariati. If passed, Iran would become the second state to leave after North Korea (2003), all JCPOA restrictions would lapse, and Tehran proposed a replacement pact with SCO and BRICS members. Security commission spokesman Ebrahim Rezaei declared the NPT "has had no benefit for us." Withdrawal requires only 90 days' notice and a declaration of supreme national interest. In parallel, the Majlis voted 221-0 to suspend all IAEA cooperation on 11 April 2026, making the nuclear programme completely dark even before any formal NPT withdrawal.

Iranian exit would remove IAEA access, extinguish safeguards, and leave the UNSC with a precedent that could accelerate proliferation pressure across the region. Iran holds 440.9 kg of 60%-enriched uranium as of April 2026 — enough for approximately ten nuclear weapons if further enriched — with no independent monitoring in place.