Iran takes first steps to exit Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty

Tehran [Iran], September 30: The Iranian parliament is preparing legislation that could see the country withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in response to the reinstatement of UN sanctions. Ebrahim Resaei, the spokesman for parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, said on Monday that legislative body has settled on a draft legislative text, the Tasnim news agency reported. The parliamentary move comes after Israeli and US attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities in June and the reactivation of UN sanctions over the weekend. "Under these circumstances, the parliament sees no reason for Iran to remain an NPT member," Resaei said. But draft legislation is not yet on the parliament's official agenda, he noted. Under Iran's constitution, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has the final authority on strategic matters. His approval would be necessary for any withdrawal to proceed. The parliament is dominated by hardliners who have sharply criticized President Masoud Pezeshkian's diplomatic efforts with Western powers. Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi say they continue to seek a diplomatic resolution, despite the reimposition of UN sanctions, and oppose exiting the non-proliferation treaty.
Source: Qatar Tribune