UNITED NATIONS — July 24, 2025 — A senior Iranian official warned on Wednesday that Tehran may consider withdrawing from the landmark Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) if European nations proceed with reimposing sanctions, a move that could undermine one of the few remaining international safeguards on Iran’s nuclear activities.
Speaking to reporters ahead of a critical meeting with European powers, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Iran is under increasing domestic pressure to reconsider its membership in the 1970 NPT, particularly following recent Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
“I’m quite confident that if the snapback is triggered, Iran will not show more restraint in this regard,” Gharibabadi said, referring to the so-called “snapback” provision in the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which would allow the reimposition of international sanctions if Iran fails to comply with the terms.
Tensions Ahead of Istanbul Talks
Representatives from Britain, France, and Germany are scheduled to meet with Iranian officials on Friday in Istanbul to discuss efforts to salvage the 2015 nuclear agreement, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The deal, which the United States withdrew from in 2018 during former President Donald Trump’s first term, provided Iran relief from economic sanctions in exchange for restrictions and monitoring of its nuclear program.
The three European countries have warned they may trigger the snapback mechanism if no progress is made on curbing Iran’s nuclear activities by August.
Gharibabadi emphasized that while Iran remains a party to the NPT, continued sanctions or new penalties could alter that stance. If Iran exits the treaty, it would become only the second country to do so—following North Korea in 2003.
U.S.-Iran Negotiations Remain Possible
The warning comes as the Trump administration has signaled renewed interest in reaching a new agreement with Tehran. Multiple rounds of talks were reportedly held earlier this year before being disrupted by Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear infrastructure in June.
Gharibabadi said Iran remains open to restarting negotiations with Washington, stating that “the sooner, the better.” However, he cautioned the U.S. against using diplomacy as a pretext for further military actions.
“Shall we have confidence and trust in the United States again? They should gain the confidence of Iran and come with honesty to the table of negotiations,” he said.
European Relations Under Scrutiny
Iran’s deputy foreign minister also expressed frustration with what he described as European alignment with U.S. policy. While expressing hope that Friday’s meeting would be constructive, he questioned the value of continued talks with European nations if they coordinate their positions with Washington.
“They should not coordinate their position with the Americans,” he said. “If this is the case, why should we negotiate with the Europeans when we can negotiate with the Americans?”
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Gharibabadi have both indicated that Iran remains committed to diplomacy and would consider proposals to avoid further sanctions and escalation.
Limited IAEA Engagement Expected
As a sign of possible engagement with the international community, Gharibabadi confirmed that a delegation from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is expected to visit Iran in the coming weeks. This would mark the first visit by the agency since the outbreak of hostilities between Iran and Israel earlier this year.
However, the inspectors will not be granted immediate access to nuclear sites. Instead, the meeting will focus on negotiating the scope of future inspections, with Gharibabadi stating that Iran feels “betrayed” by the IAEA leadership.
The IAEA has not publicly responded to Iran’s comments.
