Iran threatens to leave the NPT after sanctions snapback

Tehran considers withdrawing from the nuclear treaty, tensions with E3. Russia and China speak out in defence of Iran

The Iranian Parliament has begun drafting a plan to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). This was reported by the Tasnim news agency, a few hours after France, Germany and the United Kingdom announced to the UN Security Council the start of the “snapback” procedure to restore international sanctions against Tehran within a month.

MP Hossein-Ali Haji-Deligani explained that the bill will be examined tomorrow and could be approved next week. “These are the consequences of activating the snapback mechanism,” he said, accusing the E3 countries of being “the source of many problems in the world”.

Araqchi: ‘Ready for fair negotiations’

Despite the Parliament’s hard line, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi reiterated in a letter to EU High Representative Kaja Kallas Iran’s willingness to resume ‘fair and balanced negotiations’ on the nuclear programme, provided that the West demonstrates ‘seriousness and goodwill.’ Kallas noted that the countries involved have 30 days to find a diplomatic solution to the crisis.

The position of Moscow and Beijing

The prospect of new sanctions has provoked harsh reactions from Russia and China. Moscow spoke of “irreparable consequences” and called on France, Germany and the United Kingdom to “reassess wrong decisions before they lead to a new tragedy”.

Beijing also criticised the Western decision. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun, quoted by the Global Times, called it ‘unconstructive’ to activate the snapback mechanism at this delicate stage. According to China, the UN Security Council should promote dialogue and not fuel new tensions, claiming for itself an ‘objective and fair’ role in promoting a diplomatic solution.

Escalation in sight

The risk of Iran withdrawing from the NPT represents one of the most serious threats to the international nuclear non-proliferation system. Such a move would mark a point of no return in relations between Tehran and the West, with possible consequences for regional and global security as a whole.

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