Amid the ongoing tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear program,
one crucial fact often gets buried beneath heated political arguments. Iran, as
a member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), holds an explicit legal
right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes.
Any
attempts to curtail Iran's legitimate nuclear rights not only contradict
international law but also ignore the profound domestic consensus and national
resolve to maintain this crucial aspect of Iran's technological and strategic
independence.
The
continued US insistence that Iran abandon enrichment activities not only
contradicts international law but also undermines global diplomatic norms that
Washington claims to advocate. Established in 1970, the NPT serves as the
cornerstone of global nuclear policy. Article IV clearly states that all
signatory nations have the "inalienable right" to develop nuclear
technology for peaceful applications without discrimination.
Over the years, Iran has consistently stated that its
uranium enrichment is intended solely for energy production and medical purposes.
Typically, uranium enrichment levels around 3% to 5% are necessary for nuclear
power.
Although, recent reports from the International Atomic
Energy Agency (IAEA) indicate Iran has increased its enrichment to higher
levels, international law does not explicitly prohibit enrichment itself,
provided it remains for civilian purposes.
US
stance
The US claims Iran's enrichment poses a proliferation risk
and demands a complete halt. However, this stance is fundamentally political
and lacks strong legal justification.
The
Trump administration’s withdrawal from the JCPOA in 2018, despite Iran’s
initial full compliance, significantly damaged diplomatic credibility.
Recent indirect negotiations mediated by Oman, along with high-profile
visits to West Asia by President Donald Trump and his envoy Steven Witkoff,
highlight the complexity of these discussions.
One of
the important points that should be mentioned here is that the US negotiators
knew from the outset that uranium enrichment represents an uncompromising
"red line" for Iran.
Initiating talks under conditions demanding a halt in
enrichment was unrealistic and demonstrates either a lack of understanding or
disregard for Iran’s firm diplomatic stance.
Double
standards
US credibility is further undermined by apparent double
standards. Countries like Brazil, Argentina, Germany, and Japan all have
uranium enrichment programs under IAEA supervision without facing similar
scrutiny or pressure. Subjecting Iran uniquely to intense pressure based on
geopolitical factors weakens the integrity of the global non-proliferation
system.
If rights granted by the NPT become selectively applied
based on political alliances and agendas, the entire framework could collapse.
Nations would see little reason to adhere to non-proliferation and disarmament
norms if they perceive that these rights can be arbitrarily revoked.
For Iran, uranium enrichment goes beyond civilian purposes,
offering vital strategic leverage and acting as a deterrent. Given regional
tensions, Iran views its nuclear capabilities as crucial to national security,
making US demands for complete cessation strategically unrealistic and
politically impossible.
A sovereign
right
Iran’s unwavering pursuit of a peaceful nuclear program is
not merely a policy choice; it is an inalienable right, firmly rooted in
international law and a matter of national sovereignty.
As a committed signatory to the NPT, Iran has consistently
affirmed its entitlement to develop, research, produce, and utilize nuclear
energy for peaceful purposes, without discrimination.
This
right, enshrined in Article IV of the NPT, is a fundamental principle of global
non-proliferation, and Tehran's consistent adherence to its obligations,
including rigorous inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA), underscores its transparency and commitment to a non-military nuclear
future.
Demand Iran to abandon its legitimate enrichment activities
is to deny a sovereign nation its rightful place in the global scientific and
technological community. Iran has invested decades and considerable national
resources, including enduring unjust sanctions and the sacrifices of its brightest
scientists, to achieve self-sufficiency in its nuclear fuel cycle.
The drive for indigenous capability is not born of a desire
for weapons, but from a painful history where external promises of nuclear fuel
supply for even medical reactors proved unreliable.
Therefore, the ability to enrich uranium domestically is
viewed as a critical guarantee against future dependence and a testament to
national resilience.
Iran's peaceful nuclear program is a symbol of its
independent spirit and its dedication to scientific progress. It serves as a
vital component of its national security doctrine, providing a deterrent
against potential aggression without seeking to develop nuclear weapons, which
are explicitly forbidden by religious decree from Iran’s Leader.
