Exiting the NPT is not simple and sudden / Intensive negotiations between Iran and the West with domestic support, a solution to prevent existing tensions

۰۴ بهمن ۱۴۰۱ Interviews

Interview with ILNA News Agency, January 24, 2023 -

The interview was in Persian and the translation below was done by Ai.

Sasan Karimi, an international affairs analyst, in an interview with ILNA reporter, in response to the question that the Foreign Minister spoke in recent days about the possibility of Iran withdrawing from the NPT in response to the recent decision of the European Parliament against Iran. What is your assessment of this statement in these circumstances, he said: The fact is that tensions in various areas of the country's foreign policy are increasing in level and depth. The focus of these tensions is on three issues: nuclear, human rights, and the war in Ukraine, and all three are increasing in depth and scope with the advancement of the West and the following of non-Western countries such as South Korea, some countries in the region, and now even Iraq. From this perspective and considering the actions that European parliaments in particular are taking by addressing public opinion, such statements by the Islamic Republic of Iran are being made to create momentum and pose a kind of practical threat in confronting Europe.

In response to the question of what is required for the implementation of the NPT withdrawal plan and how it can be implemented, Karimi said: NPT is the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. If its withdrawal protocol is to be respected and not to suddenly prevent its implementation, the country needs to announce its desire to withdraw to the Security Council three months in advance and then provide a reason. The reasons must be sufficient for the withdrawal to meet national interests and concerns. Otherwise, the UN Security Council could potentially consider making provisions for it. Therefore, withdrawing from the NPT is not simple and sudden. Of course, preventing implementation and non-compliance is another matter.

In response to the question of what consequences this action will have if Iran's withdrawal from the NPT treaty is implemented, this international affairs analyst said: If this issue is simply a stance against the positions of the West and is intended to be used as an implicit or real negotiation tool, it is a matter of debate. But withdrawal in the manner described above will in any case lead to a potential consensus-building in the international environment. Especially with the history of the nuclear issue, withdrawal from the NPT could provide a good tool for opponents of nuclear engagement with Iran in the international environment (especially Israel) to use as evidence for their old claims. Ultimately, Iran, as a threat to international peace and security, will once again be subject to new resolutions under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, as well as the return of the six resolutions of the Ahmadinejad and Jalili eras, which is of course very different from the current situation in terms of political and economic isolation, oil sales, and even more serious issues.

In response to the question of what policy should be adopted to prevent the escalation of tension between Iran and the West, Karimi said: In that case, that is, after Iran’s withdrawal from the Non-Proliferation Treaty, not much can be done to reduce or prevent tension between Iran and the West. The reality is that even now, the work can be improved by a team with full authority and maximum capability, and that is intensive negotiations with the West with domestic support to put at least two axes of alleged drone assistance in the Ukraine war and nuclear weapons on the table and take away excuses from all sides. Of course, domestic support, meaning strong sovereign will, sufficient authority, consensus and national cohesion, is the main condition for such negotiations, and the arrangements in these cases are not simple or quick.

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