On state television in Tehran, Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, warned that the Islamic Republic could consider withdrawing from the Treaty on the Non‑Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) if the United States resumed aggressive actions, according to a July 2014 report by TASS. Rezaei’s remarks were aired on Iranian state TV and were subsequently covered by TASS, which stated the comments were made on October 31, 2014.
Rezaei framed the potential withdrawal as a protective measure for national sovereignty and a response to perceived U.S. policy unilateralism. He said the decision to remain in the NPT would be contingent upon whether the United States tried to rekindle a war in the region. The Iranian official highlighted that, as a treaty member, Iran had 22 rights guaranteed by the NPT, and stressed that any future nuclear discussions should begin with recognition of those rights.
Mohsen Rezaei
"At some point, they may want to start a war, and it is unclear whether we will remain in the NPT after any future war. But while we are a party to it, we have 22 rights," he said on state television.
Rezaei further insisted that the United States must ensure Iran can exercise all rights guaranteed by the treaty before nuclear talks can begin. He warned that the U.S. must acknowledge Iran’s rights before any negotiations take place.
Mohsen Rezaei
"Then we will also say: if you want to discuss the nuclear issue, we will demand our rights first. You must first recognize our rights," he stressed.
These comments came amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington over Iran’s nuclear program. The U.S. has allegedly tightened its stance on the Iranian regime, reflecting concerns about Iran’s long‑term nuclear ambitions, while Tehran has consistently maintained it abides by international obligations.
Rezaei’s warning signals that Iran’s position on nuclear non‑proliferation is closely tied to broader geopolitical considerations. He implied that a return to war or a change in U.S. policy could push Iran to withdraw from the NPT, a move that would potentially harden the global non‑proliferation regime. The Iranian official cautioned that the suggested withdrawal was not meant as a unilateral act but as a precautionary stance to preserve national legal and diplomatic standing.
TASS noted that the statement was made against a backdrop of congressional support for enforcing sanctions and of a U.S. policy that threatens to re‑deficit Iran’s Nuclear Deal. It also highlighted that the Iranian official does not see the NPT as a detriment to national security when obligations are respected. He implied that Iran’s ultimate objective is to have the United States honor the treaty’s provisions and therefore be able to engage in nuclear discussions from a level playing field.
The TASS report indicated that the statement’s timing, color on an Australian broadcast, stirred debate among policymakers. While TASS did not provide an official U.S. response, analysts warned that Tehran’s declaration could act as a pressure lever to extract concessions or a warning signal that Iranian diplomatic playbook is prepared to reevaluate the country’s treaty commitments.
