WANA (May 06) – The European Union’s Permanent Mission issued a statement claiming that the risk of a nuclear proliferation crisis in the region has risen due to the increasing nuclear activities of Iran. The statement emphasized that the EU remains committed to a diplomatic solution to address Iran’s nuclear issue.

 

Despite Iran’s repeated assertions that nuclear weapons have no place in its defense doctrine and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) not confirming Western claims about military objectives in Iran’s nuclear program, the EU emphasized that preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon is one of its primary security priorities.

 

The statement, delivered during a session at the Third Committee of the Preparatory Committee for the 2025 Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference, reminded all parties of Iran’s binding legal commitments under the NPT and other agreements, which are crucial for global non-proliferation efforts.

 

The EU reaffirmed its commitment to a diplomatic resolution and called on all countries to implement UN Security Council Resolution 2231, the legal framework supporting the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement.

 

The EU’s statement also argued that the risk of a nuclear proliferation crisis in the region has increased due to the expansion of Iran’s nuclear activities. The statement noted that Iran’s continuous nuclear advancements over the past five years have been highly concerning.

 

Iran is the only non-nuclear-armed country systematically producing and accumulating uranium. To date, Iran has stockpiled more than six significant quantities of uranium enriched to 60%, a level defined by the IAEA as the minimum required for producing a nuclear explosive device.

 

The statement further claimed that Iran’s actions pose significant proliferation risks and have no credible civilian justification. The EU expressed concern over statements made by Iranian officials about Iran’s capacity to build a nuclear weapon.

 

The EU called on Iran to return to temporarily implementing the Additional Protocol, work towards its ratification, and resume all monitoring and verification activities related to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

 

The EU’s Permanent Mission at the UN stated that it expects Iran to reverse its concerning nuclear trajectory and return to its commitments under the NPT safeguards agreement. The EU expressed anticipation for the prompt release of the Director General’s updated and comprehensive assessment from the IAEA.

 

Despite Iran and Russia’s denials of any military support for Russia in its war against Ukraine, the EU statement condemned Iran’s alleged military support to Russia, including the delivery of ballistic missiles, describing it as a significant threat to Europe and international peace and security.

 

Iranian officials have emphasized that, despite the direct military involvement of Western allies in the conflict, Iran does not support either side. They stated that their military cooperation with Russia is solely within the context of bilateral defense relations and is unrelated to the war in Ukraine.