Russia Urges Iran To Remain In Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty

Mohammed Jangadost 2 hours ago
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov attends Russian President Vladimir Putin’s meeting with new cabinet members at the Kremlin in Moscow, May 14, 2024. Photo: Vyacheslav Prokofyev / Sputnik via AP
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov attends Russian President Vladimir Putin’s meeting with new cabinet members at the Kremlin in Moscow, May 14, 2024. Photo: Vyacheslav Prokofyev / Sputnik via AP

At a Glance

  • Moscow opposes a possible Iranian NPT withdrawal.
  • Kremlin calls the treaty central to nuclear non-proliferation.
  • Iranian officials have raised the possibility of withdrawal.
  • Russia and Iran maintain close strategic ties.

Russia says it does not want Iran to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and expects Tehran to remain a party to the agreement, the Kremlin said Tuesday.


Key Statements

“We would not want Iran to withdraw from the NPT.” — Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov

“We consider the NPT to be the cornerstone of the non-proliferation regime.” — Dmitry Peskov

IssueLatest Development
Russia's positionOpposes an Iranian withdrawal from the NPT
Iranian positionOfficials have raised the possibility of withdrawal
Kremlin spokespersonDmitry Peskov
Iranian official citedAli Nikzad
Nuclear watchdogInternational Atomic Energy Agency
Russia-Iran tiesStrategic cooperation treaty

Kremlin Responds To Iranian Statements

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was responding to comments from Iranian officials about the possibility of Tehran withdrawing from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, commonly known as the NPT.

Peskov said Moscow had noted statements concerning a possible Iranian withdrawal and that the comments required further clarification.

Iranian Parliament Considers Withdrawal Motion

The comments follow reports that Iran's parliament could consider a motion calling for withdrawal from the NPT.

Iranian Deputy Parliament Speaker Ali Nikzad was reported as saying that lawmakers would review a motion seeking an accelerated consideration of withdrawal. Iranian officials have also criticized the International Atomic Energy Agency and its inspections and reporting on Iran's nuclear activities.

Iran has previously said its nuclear program is peaceful and has maintained that it has rights under the NPT to develop nuclear energy for civilian purposes.

Wider Nuclear Dispute

The latest statements come amid continuing tensions over Iran's nuclear program and its relationship with the IAEA.

Earlier this month, Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei said what Tehran described as political actions by the IAEA could encourage countries to leave the NPT. His comments followed an IAEA Board of Governors resolution concerning Iran's non-proliferation commitments.

Russia and Iran maintain close relations under a strategic cooperation treaty, while Moscow has previously supported diplomatic efforts concerning Tehran's nuclear program.

FYI

Any formal Iranian withdrawal from the NPT would carry broader implications for the international nuclear non-proliferation framework. The treaty, which entered into force in 1970, is the central international framework for preventing the spread of nuclear weapons while recognizing the right of states to pursue peaceful nuclear energy.

For Moscow, the issue also intersects with its strategic relationship with Tehran and its stated preference for diplomatic management of the Iranian nuclear dispute. Russia's latest comments therefore signal support for keeping Iran within the existing non-proliferation framework while Tehran faces continued international scrutiny over its nuclear activities.

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