1 / 8Israel launched military strikes against Iran a week ago, and on Sunday, June 22, the US deployed B-2 stealth bombers to target Iranian nuclear sites. The US attack on Iran’s nuclear sites has raised questions over the treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). (AP photo)
2 / 8Iran is now threatening to withdraw. Parliament Foreign Policy Committee Head Abbas Golroo said on X on Sunday that Iran has the legal right to withdraw from the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) based on its Article 10 following the US strikes. (Pixabay image)
3 / 8What is the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons? The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) seeks to curb the spread of nuclear weapons, encourage peaceful nuclear energy cooperation, and promote nuclear disarmament. Opened for signature in 1968 and effective from March 5, 1970, the treaty has been adopted by 191 countries, making it the most widely supported agreement on nuclear non-proliferation. (Pixabay image)
4 / 8NPT Membership | The NPT categorises its members into two groups: nuclear-weapon states and non-nuclear-weapon states. Countries that manufactured or detonated a nuclear weapon before January 1, 1967, are recognised as nuclear-weapon states. These include the US, Russia, the UK, France, and China. All others are classified as non-nuclear-weapon states. (Pixabay image)
5 / 8Legal Obligations Under the NPT | Under the treaty, non-nuclear-weapon states agree not to manufacture or acquire nuclear weapons or explosive devices. In turn, nuclear-weapon states agree not to assist, encourage, or induce any non-nuclear-weapon state to develop or acquire such weapons or devices. (Pixabay image)
6 / 8Each non-nuclear-weapon state party to the NPT is required to enter into a comprehensive safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which verifies compliance through regular inspections of nuclear facilities. (Reuters Photo)
7 / 8Nuclear-Armed States Outside the NPT | Nuclear-armed countries such as India, Pakistan, Israel, and North Korea are not parties to the NPT. Israel does not officially acknowledge its nuclear weapons programme. India has consistently criticised the treaty, calling it discriminatory and flawed, as it allows nuclear-armed states before January 1, 1967, to retain their arsenals without requiring disarmament. (Pixabay image)
8 / 8Can a Country Withdraw from the NPT? Yes. Article 10 of the treaty permits withdrawal if a party believes that extraordinary events related to the treaty have jeopardised its supreme interests. A state may withdraw by giving three-month notice. North Korea exercised this option and withdrew in 2003. (Pixabay image)
