Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)

Amid heightened military tensions with Israel, Iran has announced that its Parliament is preparing a Bill to potentially withdraw from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). This development follows an Israeli attack on Iran on June 13, prompted by Tel Aviv’s claims that Iran was close to enriching weapons-grade uranium.

About the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT):

• Genesis: Signed in 1968 and entered into force in 1970.
• Purpose: It is an international treaty aimed at:
  • Preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and technology.
  • Promoting cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
  • Working towards nuclear disarmament.
• Nuclear-Weapon States (NWS) Definition: The treaty defines a nuclear state as one that “has manufactured and exploded a nuclear weapon or other nuclear explosive device prior to 1 January 1967.” These are:
  • The US, the UK, France, the Soviet Union (later Russia), and China (also known as the P5 of the UN Security Council).
• Current Membership: Today, 191 states have joined the treaty.
• Key Commitments:
  • Non-Nuclear-Weapon States (NNWS): Commit not to manufacture or acquire nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices.
  • Nuclear-Weapon States (NWS): Commit not to assist, encourage, or induce any NNWS to acquire nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices.
  • Disarmament: The NPT is the only binding commitment in a multilateral treaty to the goal of disarmament by the nuclear-weapon States.
• Safeguards System: The treaty establishes a safeguards system under the responsibility of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). IAEA conducts inspections to verify compliance.

NPT and Non-Signatory States:

• India: Carried out its first nuclear tests in 1974 but has not signed the NPT. India advocates for the principle of universality in preventing nuclear proliferation.
• Pakistan: Is also not a signatory.
• Israel: Reportedly possesses nuclear weapons (though never officially confirmed) and has not signed the NPT.
• North Korea: Signed in 1985 but announced its withdrawal in 2003 after its enrichment program was discovered. It also expelled IAEA inspectors.

Withdrawal from NPT:

• One of the treaty’s 11 articles outlines the procedure for withdrawal based on national sovereignty.
• A notice of withdrawal must be given to other parties and the UN Security Council three months in advance.
• Iran has been a signatory since 1970, nine years before the Islamic Revolution.

(Sources: UN & IE)