WANA (Sep 13) – The head of Iran’s Parliament National Security and Foreign Policy Committee warned that withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is among the possible responses if the snapback mechanism is activated against the country.

 

Ebrahim Azizi, speaking after an emergency session of the committee on Saturday (September 13) attended by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, said: “Certainly, one of the options for the Islamic Republic of Iran is to withdraw from the NPT. But this is not our only option; the Islamic Republic has many capacities that it will use at the right time.”

 

Azizi explained that Parliament remains focused on ensuring the government’s agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) complies with Iranian law. Lawmakers, he said, are concerned about the full implementation of the legislation passed during the recent conflict, which obliges the government to suspend cooperation with the IAEA unless conditions set by Parliament and the Supreme National Security Council are met.

 

According to Azizi, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf had also raised these concerns and called for a detailed discussion with the Foreign Minister. Saturday’s meeting included both lawmakers and Araghchi, with what Azizi described as “constructive and detailed” exchanges over the recent agreement with the IAEA.

Finalization of Iran-IAEA Understanding. Social media / WANA News Agency

Finalization of Iran-IAEA Understanding. Social media / WANA News Agency

He stressed that Parliament would support the deal only if it remains fully consistent with the law: “If the agreement complies with the legislation, we will certainly support it. But if there is any deviation, we will defend the law and will not allow violations.”

 

Foreign Minister Araghchi, for his part, said the government respects Parliament’s oversight role: “We had a very extensive discussion on the recent agreement with the IAEA. Lawmakers had numerous questions and concerns, which are legitimate. We explained the details, clarified ambiguities, and exchanged views on how best to move forward in a way that protects the interests of the Iranian people.”

 

Saturday’s emergency session came after Iran and the IAEA reached a new understanding in Cairo earlier this week, following attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities. Araghchi later stated in a televised interview that the IAEA had acknowledged those attacks as violations of international law and agreed that future cooperation must follow Iran’s domestic legislation and the decisions of the Supreme National Security Council.

 

Azizi underlined that Iran’s future course depends on the behavior of its counterparts: “If the Europeans and the IAEA honor their commitments, the issue of snapback will be off the table. But if, as in the past, Europe breaks its promises or the IAEA fails to fulfill its obligations, Iran will respond with the necessary measures.”