NYN | News
Thousands of Iranian citizens began signing a petition this evening calling on the government to withdraw from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), in preparation for pursuing nuclear weapons and granting the national nuclear program broader freedom away from international restrictions.
This step came as a direct reaction to the airstrikes carried out by the United States against Iranian nuclear facilities — an attack that sparked a massive wave of anger across Iranian society and was widely viewed as a breach of red lines and a violation of the country’s sovereignty.
Activists circulated images and videos on social media showing large crowds of Iranian citizens participating in public gatherings dedicated to signing the petition, which was described as a “popular call to shift Iran’s nuclear doctrine.”
The campaign organizers stressed that this move reflects a shift in public sentiment toward international policies that aim to impose constraints on Iran, particularly amid what they described as the “double standards” employed by major powers in dealing with Tehran’s nuclear file.
One of the campaign coordinators added that the attack on peaceful facilities proves that abiding by international treaties has not prevented aggression — rather, it has made Iran more vulnerable to blackmail and attacks.
While the Iranian government has yet to issue an official comment on the petition, observers believe that this popular pressure may reignite internal political debate in Tehran regarding the future of its relationship with international nuclear watchdogs, chief among them the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
It is worth noting that Iran, as a signatory to the NPT since 1970, has for years adhered to restrictions aimed at preventing the development of nuclear weapons, in exchange for recognition of its right to pursue a peaceful nuclear program.
However, recent developments may lead Iranian leadership to reconsider these commitments, especially given the lack of sufficient international guarantees to protect its nuclear facilities from military targeting.
