Tehran Reaffirms Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Commitment Amid Inspection Restrictions

Iranian authorities have reaffirmed the country’s commitment to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), while maintaining that full access for international inspectors remains suspended following recent military strikes on its nuclear infrastructure. Speaking at a news conference in Tehran on Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei stated that attacks by the United States and Israel had disrupted safeguards implementation. “As long as this situation continues, we cannot act like normal circumstances in our cooperation with the agency,” Baghaei said regarding the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Despite the broader restrictions, Baghaei confirmed that inspectors had recently been granted access to the Bushehr nuclear power plant. The facility, constructed with Russian cooperation, suffered perimeter damage during airstrikes but avoided direct bombardment, leaving it as the only nuclear site currently accessible to IAEA monitors. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi informed the UN Security Council in late October that the agency remained unable to verify Iran’s nuclear material due to restricted access at key underground facilities, including Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan.

Iranian representatives have linked the inspection limits to security considerations following the military strikes. Seyed Hossein Mousavian, a former Iranian nuclear negotiator, stated that the IAEA lacks established inspection protocols for facilities damaged by military attacks. He added that officials in Tehran fear information collected during inspections could be shared with foreign governments and used to plan future strikes.

The operational restrictions coincide with renewed internal discussions in Tehran regarding the country's strategic doctrine. Following threats by US President Donald Trump to attack the Pickaxe Mountain complex near Natanz, Iranian officials including security chief Mohsen Rezaei have publicly raised the option of withdrawing from the NPT. Hossein Mohebbi, a spokesman for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, stated that military leadership would make necessary preparations if a decision to change nuclear policy is made.

Diplomatic communications mediated by Qatar and Pakistan remain ongoing to prevent further military escalation. Iranian negotiators have stated that Tehran remains willing to limit uranium enrichment levels and downblend enriched material domestically under international monitoring. However, International Crisis Group analyst Ali Vaez stated that restoring comprehensive IAEA oversight would require a wider agreement addressing enrichment caps, stockpiles, and economic sanctions relief.

Written by Martina Kirchner martina.kirchner@alpineweekly.com