US, UK, France Reiterate Iran Must Never Develop Nuclear Weapons

The United States, France, and the United Kingdom have reiterated their position that the Islamic Republic should never achieve the capability to build nuclear weapons. 

In a ministerial statement released for the Tenth NPT Review Conference on Monday, the countries said the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty has reduced the risk of a devastating nuclear war, and further reduction of that risk must be a priority for all NPT states parties and for this Review Conference.  

Reiterating that Iran must never develop a nuclear weapon, the statement read, “We are committed to addressing regional proliferation crises wherever they arise.”

They expressed regret that, despite intense diplomatic efforts, Iran has yet to seize the opportunity to restore full implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), urging Tehran “to return to full implementation of the JCPOA and UNSCR 2231 and to cooperate on an urgent basis with the IAEA in resolving questions related to possible undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran as required under its NPT-required safeguards agreement.”

“Nuclear weapons, for as long as they exist, should serve defensive purposes, deter aggression, and prevent war. We condemn those who would use or threaten to use nuclear weapons for military coercion, intimidation, and blackmail. Such actions are profoundly dangerous and contrary to the purposes of the NPT and the UN Charter.”

All NPT Parties, nuclear-weapon States or non-nuclear-weapon States, have a duty both to demonstrate and to promote responsible behavior and restraint to advance all three pillars of the treaty: disarmament, nonproliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy, science, and technology, they said.