Iran says US not complying with nuclear non-proliferation treaty

Summary

Iran’s Mission to the UN said Saturday that the US is not complying with the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, calling it “hypocritical behavior,” Anadolu Agency reports. “For 56 years, the US — possessor of thousands of nuclear warheads and the No. 1 proliferator of such weapons — has been in clear non-compliance with its nuclear non-proliferation and nuclear disarmament obligations under Articles I and VI of the NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty),” Iran’s Permanent Mission to the UN said in a statement. “The US should not be given any cover for its outrageous and hypocritical behavior,” it added in the statement shared on US social media company X. “Legally, there is no restriction on the level of uranium enrichment, so long as it is conducted under the IAEA’s (International Atomic Energy Agency) supervision, as was the case with Iran,” the mission added. The 11th Review Conference of parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons is underway in New York City, bringing diplomats together amid heightened concerns over nuclear risks and strategic competition. The statement came amid an ongoing stalemate between the US and Iran as talks over forging a permanent end to the war remain stalled. Reports have indicated that Iran proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz while leaving negotiations over its nuclear program for a later date. President Donald Trump said Thursday that the US would secure Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium “one way or the other,” saying that “they’ll either give it to us or we’ll take it.” READ: Iran announces new maritime rules amid Strait of Hormuz tensions Nuclear watchdog’s efforts hindered IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said Wednesday that the watchdog’s verification efforts have been hindered by security conditions on the ground. He said inspectors were scheduled to visit a newly declared Iranian nuclear facility on June 13 last year, but US-Israeli strikes began the same day. “Access was going to take place on June 13, on the day the attacks commence,” he said, adding that the timing made inspection impossible. The US and Israel began strikes against Iran on Feb. 28, prompting retaliation from Tehran against US allies in the Gulf and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. A ceasefire was announced April 8 through Pakistani mediation, followed by talks in Islamabad on April 11-12, but no agreement was reached. Trump later unilaterally extended the truce without setting a new timeframe, at Pakistan’s request.