Iran Threatens to Withdraw from Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Amid US Strikes

Iran has the right to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) if it believes its supreme interests are threatened by exceptional events, according to Article 10 of the treaty. Citing this article, Abbas Golrou, head of the Iranian parliament's foreign policy committee, stated that Tehran has the legal right to withdraw from the treaty. The statement comes as the United States targets nuclear facilities inside Iran, prompting a response from International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi, who announced an emergency meeting of the agency's Board of Governors to discuss the situation.

Key Takeaways:

• Iran's parliament foreign policy committee head, Abbas Golrou, cited Article 10 of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, stating that Tehran has the legal right to withdraw from the treaty if it believes its supreme interests are threatened by exceptional events.
• The US has targeted three nuclear facilities inside Iran, prompting a response from Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
• IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi announced an emergency meeting of the agency's Board of Governors to discuss the rapidly evolving situation in Iran.
• Iran's Atomic Energy Organization head, Mohammad Eslami, criticized IAEA Director General Grossi's "silence and complicity" over US strikes and called for an international investigation.
• Iran threatened to pursue Grossi through international legal channels and take "appropriate measures" to protect its sovereignty and nuclear sites.
• Article 10 of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty stipulates that member states have the right to withdraw from the treaty if they believe exceptional circumstances threaten their supreme interests, provided they notify all signatories to the treaty and the Security Council 90 days in advance.

Statistics:

• The United States has targeted three nuclear facilities inside Iran in recent attacks.
• The IAEA’s Board of Governors will hold an emergency meeting to discuss the situation in Iran.
• Iran has threatened to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty if it believes its supreme interests are threatened by exceptional events.

Sources:

• Abbas Golrou's X (formerly Twitter) statement
• International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi's announcement of an emergency meeting of the IAEA's Board of Governors
• Article 10 of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (cited by Abbas Golrou and Mohammad Eslami)
• Report in Maan News Agency on June 22, 2025.