Iran: US hypocritical behavior must not be overlooked

As disputes continue over Iran's enriched uranium stockpiles in negotiations between the US and Iran, Iran's Permanent Mission to the UN has issued a harsh message of criticism regarding the US's failure to comply with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

The written statement said, "It is a highly shameful situation; the US, which possesses thousands of nuclear warheads and is the number one proliferator of such weapons, has clearly failed to comply with its obligations regarding the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and nuclear disarmament under Articles 1 and 6 of the NPT for 56 years. This ugly and hypocritical behavior by the US must not be overlooked in any way."

The statement noted that Iran's uranium enrichment activities are carried out in accordance with cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), stating, "Legally, there are no restrictions on the level of uranium enrichment. As long as these activities are carried out under the supervision of the IAEA, as is the case with Iran."

Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons

The 190-member NPT, signed in 1968 and entered into force in 1970, prohibits signatories other than the US, Russia, China, the UK, and France from acquiring nuclear weapons, while granting these countries the right to conduct peaceful nuclear programs for energy production under IAEA supervision. The treaty was extended indefinitely in 1995.