Iran Threatens to Withdraw From the NPT If UN Sanctions Reappear

Iran has threatened to withdraw from the nuclear non-proliferation treaty if the snapback mechanism is used to restore UN sanctions.

Iran has threatened to withdraw from the nuclear non-proliferation treaty if the snapback mechanism is used to restore UN sanctions.

Senior member Manouchehr Mottaki stated on Wednesday that Iran’s parliament is ready to leave the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) if foreign sanctions are reinstated by the UN.

Speaking to Defapress, Mottaki’s comments coincide with increased tensions following European countries’ indications that they are prepared to activate the UN’s “snapback” mechanism, which permits the automatic reimposition of sanctions in the event that Iran is found to have violated its nuclear commitments. The so-called E3 group—France, Germany, and the United Kingdom—is considering the mechanism, which expires in October.

Following months of stalled nuclear diplomacy and mounting alarm over Iran’s uranium enrichment operations, the European stance was taken. Tehran has often stated that it will respond to further sanctions with “decisive measures,” describing NPT withdrawal as a final resort.

A pillar of the international nuclear non-proliferation framework, the NPT, which Iran joined in 1968 and ratified in 1970, requires signatories to forgo developing nuclear weapons in return for access to civilian nuclear technology. Withdrawing from the accord may make Iran even more isolated from the rest of the world and increase tensions.

Senior member Manouchehr Mottaki stated on Wednesday that Iran’s parliament is ready to leave the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) if foreign sanctions are reinstated by the UN.

Speaking to Defapress, Mottaki’s comments coincide with increased tensions following European countries’ indications that they are prepared to activate the UN’s “snapback” mechanism, which permits the automatic reimposition of sanctions in the event that Iran is found to have violated its nuclear commitments. The so-called E3 group—France, Germany, and the United Kingdom—is considering the mechanism, which expires in October.

Following months of stalled nuclear diplomacy and mounting alarm over Iran’s uranium enrichment operations, the European stance was taken. Tehran has often stated that it will respond to further sanctions with “decisive measures,” describing NPT withdrawal as a final resort.

A pillar of the international nuclear non-proliferation framework, the NPT, which Iran joined in 1968 and ratified in 1970, requires signatories to forgo developing nuclear weapons in return for access to civilian nuclear technology. Withdrawing from the accord may make Iran even more isolated from the rest of the world and increase tensions.