Iran
Iran voted in favour of adopting the TPNW at the UN Diplomatic Conference in 2017, but has not yet adhered to the Treaty. If Iran were today a party to the TPNW, there would be issues of possible compliance related to the prohibition on development, which would need to be addressed by a meeting of states parties. The Nuclear Weapons Ban Monitor has therefore listed Iran as a state of concern.
| TPNW status |
|---|
| Not signed, not ratified, not acceded |
| Compatibility with prohibitions in TPNW Article 1(1) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Art 1(1)(a) | Develop, produce, manufacture, acquire | Of concern |
| Test | Compatible | |
| Possess or stockpile | Compatible | |
| Art 1(1)(b) | Transfer | Compatible |
| Art 1(1)(c) | Receive transfer or control | Compatible |
| Art 1(1)(d) | Use | Compatible |
| Threaten to use | Compatible | |
| Art 1(1)(e) | Assist, encourage or induce | Compatible |
| Art 1(1)(f) | Seek or receive assistance | Compatible |
| Art 1(1)(g) | Allow stationing, installation, deployment | Compatible |
| TPNW voting and participation | |
|---|---|
| Vote on negotiation mandate (A/RES/71/258) | Voted yes |
| Participated in treaty negotiations (% women) | Yes (0%) |
| Vote on adoption of treaty text | Voted yes |
| Last vote on UNGA resolution | Voted yes |
| Fissile material | |
|---|---|
| Fissile material production facilities | Yes |
| Highly enriched uranium stocks | 1–10 kg |
| Plutonium stocks (military/civilian) | No/No |
| Related treaties and regimes | |
|---|---|
| Party to the NPT | Yes |
| Party to a NWFZ | No |
| Ratified the CTBT | No (Signed, Annex 2 state) |
| Party to the PTBT | Yes |
| Member of the CD | Yes |
| IAEA CSA in force | Yes |
| IAEA AP in force | No (Signed 2003, provisionally applied) |
| Party to the CWC | Yes |
| Party to the BWC | Yes |
Latest developments
Iran has consistently voted in favour of the UN General Assembly resolutions on the TPNW in 2018, 2019, and 2020. In response to targeted assassinations of Iranian officials, apparent acts of sabotage against Iran’s nuclear installations, and the United States' violation of the JCPOA, Iran has taken steps to expand its nuclear programme, reneging on obligations stipulated in the Iran deal. It is to be hoped that the two sides, following the US presidential elections, will change track and return to diplomacy. See: bbc.in/2DEWp8z, bit.ly/2ZdDj0z.
Recommendations
- Iran should urgently sign and ratify the TPNW, and encourage other states to adhere to the Treaty.
- Iran should return to compliance with the JCPOA, and permanently bring into force its Additional Protocol (AP) with the IAEA. Iran should also ratify the CTBT.