The Kremlin, the office of the Russian President, has urged Iran not to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). According to Persian-language reports, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov responded after Iranian officials expressed the possibility that Tehran might exit the NPT. The NPT prevents Iran from developing or acquiring nuclear weapons. Iran has been a member of the treaty since 1960.
On Tuesday, Ali Nikzad, the deputy speaker of the Iranian parliament, stated that the parliament is considering a three-step plan to withdraw Iran from the NPT. “We have no full confidence in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and its current director general. They only make formal visits and issue negative reports against Iran,” Nikzad said, according to Iranian media. “The parliament will review this plan as well as its international implications.”
Kremlin spokesperson Peskov emphasized that Iran’s position needs to be clear. He said, “We regard the NPT as the foundation of the nuclear non-proliferation regime. We hope Iran will remain an important and responsible member of this treaty.” Earlier, on Monday, more than 30 former Iranian officials issued an open letter urging Iran to withdraw from the NPT. The signatories of the letter include former vice presidents and ministers who argued that Iran’s membership is not in the country’s interest.
