Iran parliament fast-tracks NPT withdrawal bill — FM confirms lawmakers mulling exit from nuclear treaty

Iran's parliament received a fast-tracked bill proposing withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) — the cornerstone international agreement limiting the spread of nuclear weapons. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed at his March 30 press conference that Iranian lawmakers had raised the possibility of NPT withdrawal, while insisting Tehran 'has not and will not seek nuclear weapons.' An MP on the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee stated: 'The moment has come for Iran to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.' The fast-track process would require parliamentary approval followed by clearance from the Guardian Council before the government could act. NPT withdrawal would end Iran's obligations under the treaty — including IAEA inspections — at a moment when the IAEA has already confirmed destruction of Iran's Khondab heavy water plant and the general disruption of Iran's nuclear programme by US-Israeli strikes. The move could signal Iran's intent to rebuild nuclear capacity post-war outside IAEA oversight, or could be leverage in the ongoing ceasefire negotiations.