Iran Evaluates Formal Withdrawal from Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed the move during a weekly press conference on Monday, March 30, 2026, citing the treaty's failure to protect Iran’s sovereign rights amid repeated attacks on its nuclear infrastructure.

The announcement follows the introduction of an "urgent" bill in the Iranian Parliament (Majlis). If passed, the legislation would mandate a total overhaul of Iran’s nuclear policy in response to recent military strikes by the U.S. and Israel.

• Parliamentary Bill: Submitted on March 28 by MP Malek Shariati, the bill proposes three immediate steps: a formal exit from the NPT, the repeal of the Mutual Initiative Law (which governs nuclear deal implementation), and the pursuit of new nuclear technology pacts with "aligned" nations.

• The Rationale: Baghaei questioned the logic of remaining in an international agreement that he claims "bullying parties" use to stifle Iran's rights while simultaneously targeting its facilities.

Despite the threat to exit the treaty, the Foreign Ministry emphasized that Iran’s nuclear doctrine remains focused on peaceful energy.

No Nuclear Weapons: Baghaei insisted that Tehran "has not and will not seek nuclear weapons," maintaining that the country's religious and strategic stance against weapons of mass destruction remains unchanged.

Interim Compliance: The spokesperson clarified that Iran will continue to respect its current NPT obligations as long as it remains a formal member, but warned that domestic and parliamentary pressure for withdrawal is at an all-time high.

The debate over the NPT has intensified following the 12-day conflict in June 2025 and subsequent strikes in early 2026, during which several of Iran’s key nuclear sites were targeted.

IAEA Criticism: Tehran has also expressed "deep regret" over the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) silence regarding these attacks, with Baghaei criticizing Director General Rafael Grossi for failing to condemn the aggressors.

Recent Losses: The move also follows reports of the death of top nuclear researcher Ali Fouladvand in an airstrike on March 28, further fueling the drive for a more defiant nuclear posture in Tehran.