Tehran: Iran’s parliament is preparing to consider a possible withdrawal from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons or Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). MP Alireza Salimi said on Sunday (October 4) that the issue is now on the parliamentary agenda.
He also made clear that Tehran has no plan to give up uranium enrichment. On enrichment, he added, “We will not give up enrichment. The comments were made at a crucial point in the standoff over Iran’s nuclear programme. Tehran is still an NPT member. The move would still carry major diplomatic consequences. There is also a separate proposal on the table involving Russia. He added that Tehran regularly consults Moscow on nuclear issues and coordinates with Russia and China when new developments arise. The issue has become part of ongoing indirect contacts between Iran and the United States. Tehran is reviewing Washington’s response to a seven-day proposal put forward by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi at the United Nations.
Any formal withdrawal would therefore become a major issue for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the United Nations. Iran has a law allowing enrichment to 60%, and Salimi said Parliament would not set that law aside. Iran joined the treaty in 1970 and has been under international safeguards for its nuclear activities. Baghaei said Tehran is considering a Russian offer to take custody of Iran’s uranium enriched to 60%.
Salimi, who is also a member of the parliament’s board, said lawmakers would examine the proposal. “The withdrawal from the NPT is on the table of parliament and will be examined,” he said. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Iran would continue to follow its treaty obligations for as long as it stays in the agreement. He said the possibility of withdrawal is being seriously considered by Iranian political and expert circles. He said Iran would make its decision based on its national interests.
