Several Iranian lawmakers have called for Iran to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), as United States President Donald Trump said the war on Iran is 'going to get wrapped up soon'. The demands come as Qatari mediators returned to Tehran this week to mediate peace talks between the US and Iran.
The calls for NPT withdrawal were voiced by lawmakers including Mahmoud Nabavian, who wrote on X that 'it is time for the Iranian nation to withdraw from the NPT treaty and change the nuclear doctrine'. In parliament, Ebrahim Rezaei said 10 proposals to withdraw from the treaty had been registered, and withdrawal was under consideration, according to the Fars news agency. According to Iranian media reports, the Paydari Front, a hardline faction, also called for parliament to withdraw from the NPT.
The war began on February 28, 2026, when the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran, and has now entered its ninth month. The conflict has disrupted global energy markets due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Before the war, Iran and the US had been engaged in nuclear negotiations mediated by Oman, which had reported 'significant progress'.
Iranian leaders have not yet responded to the lawmakers' demands. In June, foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said a bill for withdrawal was being prepared. President Masoud Pezeshkian has said Tehran's policies align with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's religious edict against weapons of mass destruction. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has warned that any renewed attacks could come at a far higher cost for Europe.
Trump, in a speech on Friday, repeated that Iran 'cannot have a nuclear weapon' and denied the US started the war, saying 'Iran has been waging war on America since 1979'. He told a Kansas City radio station that the war is 'going to get wrapped up soon', but said Washington needs a guarantee there will never be a nuclear weapon.
Qatari mediators returned to Tehran after delivering a letter from US Vice President JD Vance days earlier, according to US media; the letter proposed renewed peace talks. Iranian sources confirmed receipt of the letter and said a meeting could be held within a week in Doha or Istanbul. Pakistan's military spokesman expressed cautious optimism about mediation efforts. The article said Washington and Tehran had sent mixed signals; The Wall Street Journal reported that the head of US Central Command briefed Trump on options for renewed attacks.
Mohamed Elmenshawy, a Washington-based analyst, told Al Jazeera that Trump wants to end the standoff quickly but may launch new attacks after the November 3 midterm elections. Abas Aslani, a researcher in Tehran, said a deep lack of trust lies behind Iran's failure to respond to US proposals, and that Iran insists on its seven-point plan to end the war.
Analysis
Why this matters
- Iran's potential withdrawal from the NPT could escalate nuclear proliferation risks in the Middle East.
- The ongoing war and closure of the Strait of Hormuz have disrupted global energy markets and financial stability.
- Diplomatic efforts are at a critical juncture, with the possibility of peace or renewed conflict after the US midterm elections.
Background
The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) is a landmark international treaty aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons. Iran signed the NPT in 1968 and ratified it in 1970 as a non-nuclear-weapon state. The current war began on February 28, 2025, when the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran, following months of nuclear negotiations mediated by Oman. Iran has consistently stated its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes, but the US insists Iran cannot develop nuclear weapons.
Key perspectives
- Iranian lawmakers: Several have called for Iran to withdraw from the NPT, with Mahmoud Nabavian writing that 'it is time for the Iranian nation to withdraw from the NPT treaty and change the nuclear doctrine'.
- Donald Trump: The US President has said the war will be 'wrapped up soon' but insists Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.
- Iranian officials: Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has warned of 'earth-shattering blow' if Europe supports attacks, while President Pezeshkian aligns with the Supreme Leader's edict against WMD.
- Qatari mediators: They are facilitating peace talks, with a letter from the US delivered to Iran, and a meeting possible within a week.
- Analysts: Mohamed Elmenshawy and Abas Aslani highlight mixed signals and lack of trust, with potential for renewed attacks after the US midterm elections.
What to watch
- The outcome of the US midterm elections on November 3, 2026, which may influence Trump's approach to the conflict.
- The response to the Qatari mediation efforts, including any meeting in Doha or Istanbul within the next week.
- Potential military moves: both sides are reinforcing forces, and Trump was briefed on options for renewed attacks.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedSeveral Iranian lawmakers have called for Iran to withdraw from the NPT.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Several Iranian lawmakers have called for the country’s withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)”
- SupportedTrump said the war on Iran would be “wrapped up” soon.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Separately, in an interview with Kansas City radio station KCMO on Friday, he said the war is “going to get wrapped up soon””
- SupportedQatari mediators returned to Tehran this week to mediate peace talks with the US.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “The lawmakers’ demands come as Qatari mediators returned to Tehran this week to mediate peace talks with the US.”
- SupportedMahmoud Nabavian wrote on X, “it is time for the Iranian nation to withdraw from the NPT treaty and change the nuclear doctrine”.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: ““Now that we have paid the heavy costs of war and sanctions, it is time for the Iranian nation to withdraw from the NPT treaty and change the nuclear doctrine,” he wrote on X.”
- SupportedEbrahim Rezaei said 10 proposals to withdraw from the treaty had been registered and withdrawal was under consideration, according to Fars.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “In parliament, Ebrahim Rezaei, a member of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, said 10 proposals to withdraw from the treaty had been registered, and withdrawal was under consideration, according to the Fars news agency.”
- SupportedThe Paydari Front called for parliament to withdraw from the NPT, according to Iranian media reports.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “But on October 24, according to Iranian media reports, the Paydari Front, a hardline faction aligned with conservative groups, also called on parliament to withdraw from the NPT.”
- SupportedThe US and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28, 2026.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Before the US and Israel’s war on Iran began on February 28”
- SupportedThe war has entered its ninth month.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “The war, which is entering its ninth month, has upended global energy and financial markets with the closure of Hormuz.”
- SupportedThe closure of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted global energy markets.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “The war, which is entering its ninth month, has upended global energy and financial markets with the closure of Hormuz.”
- SupportedIranian leaders have not yet responded to lawmakers’ demands to withdraw from the NPT.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Iranian leaders have not yet responded to demands from lawmakers to withdraw from the NPT.”
- SupportedIranian sources confirmed receipt of the US letter and said a meeting could be held within a week in Doha or Istanbul.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “The sources said a meeting to discuss a new diplomatic path could be held within a week, either in Doha or Istanbul.”
- SupportedMohamed Elmenshawy said Trump may launch new attacks after the November 3 midterm elections.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Mohamed Elmenshawy, a Washington-based analyst, told Al Jazeera that Trump wants to end the standoff with Iran “whether through peace or war as quickly as possible”, and may launch new attacks after the November 3 midterm elections.”