Iran parliament weighs withdrawal from Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty

September 29, 2026 at 11:10 AM2 min

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Iran's parliament is considering a proposal to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, deputy speaker Ali Nikzad said. The initiative is being studied for international consequences before being marked urgent for same-day debate. Nikzad cited Iran's September 2025 suspension of cooperation with the IAEA as precedent.

Key Facts

Iran's parliament is reviewing a proposal to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, according to deputy speaker Ali Nikzad.
The proposal will be marked 'urgent' after international consequences are studied, requiring same-day parliamentary debate.
Iran suspended cooperation with the IAEA in September 2025, Nikzad said.
The US and Israel struck nuclear sites at Natanz, Fordo, and Isfahan in June 2025.
Iran moved thousands of centrifuges to tunnels under Pikaks mountain after the June 2025 strikes.

Parliamentary Proposal

Deputy speaker Ali Nikzad said the parliament is considering a proposal to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The initiative's international consequences are currently being studied, after which the document will be marked 'urgent' for same-day debate. Nikzad criticized IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, saying Grossi visited Iran with inspections, praised officials, but later produced negative reports. Nikzad said there is no basis to hope the IAEA or its staff will help Iran in nuclear energy.

IAEA Cooperation Suspension

Nikzad recalled that Iran stopped cooperation with the IAEA in September 2025. He said suspending cooperation with the IAEA has been beneficial for Iran. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi previously called claims that Tehran is on the verge of building a nuclear weapon baseless. Araghchi said Iran has been a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty since 1970 and its nuclear program serves peaceful purposes.

Nuclear Site Strikes

The US and Israel struck nuclear facilities at Natanz, Fordo, and Isfahan in June 2025. After the strikes, Iran moved thousands of centrifuges used for uranium enrichment to tunnels under Pikaks mountain. On July 13, US President Donald Trump named Pikaks as a possible target for a strike for the first time. Pikaks mountain, known in Iran as Kulang, is located near one of the country's main nuclear facilities and has been under US and Israeli surveillance for years. Experts estimate the tunnels reach depths of 90–140 meters and contain enough space for several nuclear facilities.