MP Alireza Salimi said on Sunday (October 4) that the issue is now on the parliamentary agenda. Tehran: Iran’s parliament is preparing to consider a possible withdrawal from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons or Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
Iran has a law allowing enrichment to 60%, and Salimi said Parliament would not set that law aside. Baghaei said Tehran is considering a Russian offer to take custody of Iran’s uranium enriched to 60%. Reuters reported that Tehran has offered to reopen the strategic waterway within seven days if the conditions set out in a June interim agreement are fulfilled.
Salimi, who is also a member of the parliament’s board, said lawmakers would examine the proposal. “The withdrawal from the NPT is on the table of parliament and will be examined,” he said. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Iran would continue to follow its treaty obligations for as long as it stays in the agreement. He said the possibility of withdrawal is being seriously considered by Iranian political and expert circles. Iran has said the proposal is aimed at resolving the standoff over the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian officials have also said the nuclear programme is not being offered as a concession in return for reopening the strait.
He also made clear that Tehran has no plan to give up uranium enrichment. On enrichment, he added, “We will not give up enrichment. The comments were made at a crucial point in the standoff over Iran’s nuclear programme. Tehran is still an NPT member. There is also a separate proposal on the table involving Russia. The issue has become part of ongoing indirect contacts between Iran and the United States. Tehran is reviewing Washington’s response to a seven-day proposal put forward by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi at the United Nations.
