Kremlin says no to Iran's NPT withdrawal, backs diplomatic route

On Tuesday, the Kremlin’s press office rejected any notion that Russia would support Iran leaving the Nuclear Non‑Proliferation Treaty. Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin’s spokesman, said the Russian government needs further clarification on Iranian officials’ statements that hinted at a possible exit from the treaty.

He added, “We do not wish for Iran to withdraw from the NPT,” underscoring Moscow’s preference for Tehran to remain a party to the agreement. The remarks came after Iranian legislators threatened to consider a withdrawal as a response to increasing international pressure on Iran’s nuclear activities.

Iran continues to assert that its nuclear programme is solely for peaceful purposes. President Ebrahim Raisi, during a recent trip to New York, declared that Iran will never develop nuclear weapons. In an interview with a US broadcaster, Raisi also said Tehran is ready to discuss its nuclear programme but will not be coerced.

Despite Tehran’s denials, many global observers question whether Iran’s uranium enrichment is approaching weapons‑grade thresholds. The two nations have cultivated a close strategic partnership, formalised by a strategic cooperation treaty, and Russia has consistently promoted a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear question.