Iranian lawmakers have submitted a bill to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which Iran joined in 1974. The move comes amid heightened tensions with the US and Saudi Arabia. The bill was presented to the parliament's presiding board, according to Iranian State media, Tasnim News Agency. Lawmakers argue that remaining in the NPT will "bring nothing but losses" to Tehran.
The NPT is a cornerstone of global efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. It demands that states without nuclear weapons agree not to acquire them, while those that possess them commit to eventual disarmament. The treaty recognises only five states as nuclear states: the US, Russia, the UK, France, and China. Iran has not withdrawn from the treaty despite previous crises and sanctions.
Iranian lawmaker Haji Deligani stated that the current realities necessitate withdrawal from the treaty. "Given the circumstances facing the country and the aggression that the enemy has launched against us on two occasions, remaining in the NPT brings us nothing but losses," he said. The bill's proponents argue that withdrawal is necessary due to the US's aggressive stance towards Iran.
Iran signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2015, which limited its uranium enrichment and nuclear programme. However, the US withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018, leading to reintroduced sanctions. Iran has insisted that its uranium enrichment is only for civilian purposes. A year after the US withdrawal, Iran raised its uranium enrichment purity to 60 per cent.
In February 2026, the IAEA disclosed that Iran had agreed to "zero accumulation", "zero stockpiling", and full verification of its existing stockpile. Oman, which mediated talks between Tehran and Washington, also said it would dilute existing Iranian stockpiles to natural uranium levels and convert them into fuel. However, hours later, the US and Israel struck Iran.
Top Iranian officials have confirmed that the country is considering withdrawing from the NPT. Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, stated that the decision to remain a signatory to the treaty depends largely on US conduct. Rezaei told Al Jazeera that Iran's nuclear doctrine has not changed.
The IRGC has warned the US against renewed attacks on Iran, stating that "the world will be astonished" by new weapons and targets if the US launches another attack. Iran has vowed to introduce weapons with new capabilities and strike targets that have not been attacked before. The country's actions will be closely watched by the international community.
Key points
- Iranian lawmakers submit bill to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
- The move comes amid heightened tensions with the US and Saudi Arabia
- Iran's nuclear doctrine remains unchanged, according to Mohsen Rezaei
