Iran's Assembly of Experts calls for review of NPT withdrawal

Iran's Assembly of Experts issued a statement on November 12, 2026, calling on relevant authorities to review withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, to re-examine the national defense strategy, and to establish necessary deterrence capabilities, according to Iranian sources reported by CCTV News and carried by Yicai.

The statement said that hostile forces repeatedly issuing threats, particularly threats targeting Iran's nuclear capabilities, indicate that Iran can no longer harbor hopes regarding international institutions responsible for related matters.

IranWire reported that the clerical body cited U.S. and Israeli threats regarding Iran's nuclear program, alongside what it termed the "inaction of international institutions," as the rationale behind the demand, characterizing a review of NPT withdrawal as a "public and national demand."

In its statement, the Assembly of Experts also called for bolstering deterrence, warning that should another attack be launched against Iran, the armed forces would respond with an "immediate, impactful, and geographically unrestricted" retaliation. The body further urged the foreign policy apparatus to align with the path of resistance and convey the Islamic Republic's stance to neighboring countries.

IranWire noted that in recent months, amid escalating tensions over Iran's nuclear program, several officials and state figures have floated withdrawal from the NPT as a potential response to external pressure. In August and September, Abbas Goodarzi, spokesperson for Parliament's Presiding Board, described leaving the NPT as a way to counter U.S. pressure. Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, similarly stated that withdrawal was possible, though no final decision had been made. Days later, a group of current and former officials called for initiating the withdrawal process.

Addressing economic matters, the Assembly of Experts identified the public's livelihood challenges as one of the foremost responsibilities of state officials and proposed establishing a "War Economy Headquarters" with the participation of all branches of government under the supervision of the Supreme Leader's office. The body also urged authorities to pay greater attention to what it called "safeguarding chastity and hijab" and defended the enforcement of the state's cultural policies.

Finally, the Assembly of Experts expressed appreciation for eight months of public participation in street gatherings and called for their continuation, while reiterating ongoing support for "Axis of Resistance" groups and condemning court verdicts issued by certain regional countries against Iranian citizens and clerics.

Sources

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