Mumbai: Iran's election to a key post at the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) review conference in New York triggered a sharp showdown Monday, with the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates objecting on the opening day.
Iran Elected as NPT Vice President
Iran was elected as one of 34 vice presidents representing the Non-Aligned Movement at the conference, which is led by Do Hung Viet. The election immediately drew strong criticism from Western nations.
US envoy Christopher Yeaw called the selection “beyond shameful” and an affront to the NPT's credibility. He accused Iran of showing contempt for its treaty obligations and failing to adhere to the norms of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Yeaw alleged that Tehran continues to advance a nuclear weapons programme, despite its commitments under the NPT.
Iranian Response
Iranian envoy Reza Najafi rejected the criticism as baseless and politically motivated. He countered by accusing the United States of modernizing its own nuclear weapons and increasing its arsenal, while supporting Israel's nuclear weapons programme. “US attacked Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities,” Najafi said, pointing to what he described as a double standard in nuclear policy.
Conference Context
The NPT review conference runs until May 22. India, Pakistan, and Israel remain outside the treaty, which they have criticized as discriminatory. The conference is a key forum for discussing global nuclear non-proliferation efforts.
UN Warning on Nuclear Risks
UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that the NPT is eroding as “drivers of proliferation are accelerating.” He said humanity faces a rising nuclear risk, with new technologies increasing the threat. “Nuclear tests are back on the table and the number of nuclear warheads is on the rise for the first time in decades,” Guterres noted, highlighting a worrying trend.
Rare Opening-Day Clash
The clash marked a rare opening-day confrontation at an NPT review meeting, with both sides trading allegations over nuclear conduct. The incident underscores the deep divisions within the international community regarding Iran's nuclear programme and the broader challenges facing the non-proliferation regime.
