Iran may Follow North Korea in Withdrawing from Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty

Global Online News: If the United Nations Security Council passes a strict resolution targeting Iran’s nuclear activities, how will Iran respond? There are signs that Iran may follow North Korea and withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

According to Reuters, leading figures in Iran's parliament have stated that if the Security Council attempts to deprive Iran of its right to use nuclear weapons, they will draft a bill requiring Iran to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Western countries, led by the United States, have accused Iran of engaging in uranium enrichment activities that could lead to military applications and are pushing for the Security Council to pass a resolution requiring Iran to immediately stop enriching uranium. The resolution will also include threats of sanctions.

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Assefi was noncommittal when asked whether Iran would retaliate against the Security Council resolution by withdrawing from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. "We're not going to prejudge anything. We're going to respond appropriately," he said.

Political analysts say that Iran does not dare to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty rashly, because if they do so, it will only make the outside world more convinced that Iran is engaged in secret nuclear weapons research.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said earlier this year that Iran would reconsider its status as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty if it faced undue pressure. Iranian Speaker Ghulam Ali Haddad Odil was also vague on whether Iran would withdraw from the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. "If it becomes clear that Western countries are intent on humiliating Iran, then Congress will take steps to protect Iran's rights," he said.