Nuclear deal will collapse if UN imposes sanctions, warns Iran

Iran has warned that it will withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) if the United Nations imposes new sanctions on the country. Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi issued the threat in a message on Telegram on Thursday.

Recently, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) proposed talks on Iran’s nuclear programme. Tehran said it was willing to join discussions but would not allow inspectors direct access to nuclear sites. This stance created fresh tensions between Iran and the IAEA.

While the United Kingdom, France and Germany attempted mediation, their efforts failed. Instead, they accused Iran of violating the 2015 JCPOA agreement. In response, the United Nations announced new sanctions to take effect from midnight New York time on Saturday.

Araghchi warned, “If the United Nations takes any harsh measures, Iran will also seriously consider abandoning its commitments.”

Iran signed the NPT in 1970 under Shah Reza Pahlavi, pledging never to pursue nuclear weapons and to cooperate with the IAEA.

In recent years, however, the IAEA has expressed concern over Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium, claiming it could be used to build a nuclear bomb. Shortly afterwards, Israel launched a 10-day air campaign called “The Rising Lion”, later joined by the United States.

Since the ceasefire on June 26, tensions between Iran and the UN have deepened further. Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghaei accused the IAEA of “paving the way for Israeli attacks on Iran.”