Iran Vows to Stay in Nuclear Treaty but Halts Talks After U.S. Strikes

Iran says it will stay in the United Nations’ nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), even after recent U.S. military strikes targeted its nuclear sites. According to Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Tehran will continue enriching uranium “for peaceful purposes” but no longer sees any reason to keep negotiating limits on its nuclear program. The statement, first reported by Al Jazeera and shared by Mario Nawfal on X, marks a major turning point in Iran’s nuclear diplomacy.

“We do not negotiate for the sake of negotiating,” Ravanchi said. “There is no point in continuing dialogue when the other side is unwilling to act in good faith.”

Strained Dialogue Turns to Stalemate

The comment marks a stark shift in Iran’s diplomatic posture. For years, the Islamic Republic had engaged in intermittent talks with the U.S. and European powers, including under the framework of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). That deal placed limits on Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. But after the U.S. withdrew from the agreement in 2018 and reimposed harsh economic sanctions, trust between the two sides eroded.

While Iran had signaled readiness to return to the negotiating table in recent months, the reported strikes on its nuclear facilities appear to have hardened its stance.

The Biden administration has not officially confirmed or denied its involvement in the strikes. Still, U.S. officials have long expressed concern over Iran’s growing nuclear capabilities, with some analysts warning that the threshold for weaponization is closer than ever.

Peaceful Purposes – But Under Watch

Despite its toughened rhetoric, Iran is not formally exiting the NPT, a crucial distinction that indicates a desire to avoid total diplomatic isolation. The NPT, signed in 1968, is a landmark international treaty aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons while promoting peaceful nuclear energy.

“Iran will continue to enrich uranium, but only within the boundaries set by our obligations to the IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency],” Ravanchi stated, reaffirming the country’s intent to cooperate with global monitoring efforts.

Yet skepticism remains among Western powers, many of whom accuse Iran of obscuring the full extent of its nuclear activities. The recent attacks may have only intensified these suspicions, even as Tehran positions itself as a victim of unprovoked aggression.

A Pivotal Moment for the Region

Iran’s decision to uphold its treaty commitments while halting diplomatic talks reflects a broader pattern of brinkmanship in the Middle East. As proxy conflicts intensify in Yemen, Syria, and Iraq, and regional alliances continue to shift, nuclear diplomacy is becoming more entangled with security calculations on both sides.

Analysts warn that without a renewed commitment to dialogue, the current standoff could spiral into a prolonged crisis with global ramifications. For now, Iran’s message is clear: cooperation is still on the table, but not at any cost.