WANA (Apr 30) – Iran’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Vienna called for increased international pressure on Israel to abandon its nuclear weapons program and join the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), warning of growing challenges to the global non-proliferation regime.

 

Speaking at the 11th Review Conference of the NPT member states, Reza Najafi stated that the global nuclear order is facing serious strain, citing what he described as the launch of a new nuclear arms race and modernization efforts by the United States, the United Kingdom, and France.

 

Najafi argued that, within less than nine months during 2025 and 2026, Iran had been subjected to two military attacks by nuclear-armed states, both justified, he said, under claims related to Iran’s peaceful nuclear program. He added that repeated allegations about Iran’s proximity to developing nuclear weapons were used to divert attention from other issues, while maintaining that all enriched uranium in Iran remains under full supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), with no reported diversion.

 

He further criticized what he described as the failure of international bodies, including the UN Security Council and the IAEA Board of Governors, to condemn these actions, stating that such inaction reflects broader concerns about the credibility of global institutions.

 

Addressing nuclear disarmament, Najafi said global nuclear arsenals are expanding, with thousands of warheads on high alert, and accused Western countries of failing to meet their long-standing disarmament obligations. He also pointed to NATO’s nuclear sharing arrangements as an example of continued proliferation practices, noting that several non-nuclear-weapon states host U.S. nuclear weapons.

 

The Iranian envoy highlighted that Israel remains the only country in the Middle East outside the NPT, with undeclared nuclear facilities and capabilities beyond international safeguards. He described this as a serious threat to regional and international security.

 

Najafi also criticized what he called discriminatory approaches to the peaceful use of nuclear energy, arguing that some countries seek to restrict others’ access to nuclear technology under the pretext of non-proliferation concerns.

 

He emphasized that Iran has submitted proposals to the conference aimed at strengthening the treaty, including a clear prohibition on attacks against safeguarded nuclear facilities, a time-bound plan for the total elimination of nuclear weapons, renewed focus on establishing a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East, and reaffirmation of the right to peaceful nuclear energy, including full national fuel cycle capabilities.

 

Najafi concluded by stating that Iran will continue efforts toward the adoption of a balanced and substantive final document at the conference.