Iran’s appointment to a leadership position at a major nuclear conference has drawn criticism from multiple countries citing its record on compliance and transparency.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
The United Nations has selected Iran as one of 34 vice presidents of the 11th Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference, which convened April 27 at UN headquarters in New York. The selection followed a nomination by the Non-Aligned Movement, a bloc representing more than 100 developing nations.
The appointment prompted objections from several countries, including the United States, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. U.S. Assistant Secretary for Arms Control and Nonproliferation Christopher Yeaw described the decision as an “affront” to the treaty, stating it was “beyond shameful and an embarrassment to the credibility of this conference.”
Officials from the United Arab Emirates also criticized the selection, calling it “antithetical to the values of the NPT” and raising concerns about the message it sends regarding compliance with treaty obligations. In contrast, Russia defended Iran’s inclusion, describing the objections as “political attacks.”
Iran ratified the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 1970 and entered into safeguards agreements with the International Atomic Energy Agency in 1974. Subsequent investigations began in 2002 into alleged undeclared nuclear activities. The IAEA Board of Governors later found Iran in noncompliance with its safeguards agreement, and the matter was referred to the UN Security Council in 2006.
Security Council resolutions that followed called on Iran to suspend uranium enrichment and cooperate fully with inspections, among other measures. According to documentation, Iran did not meet several of those requirements.
In more recent developments, the IAEA has verified that Iran exceeded limits established under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action beginning in 2019, including increases in enriched uranium stockpiles and advanced centrifuge use beyond what the agreement permitted. European signatories formally raised concerns in 2020 through the agreement’s dispute resolution mechanism.
In June 2025, the IAEA Board of Governors adopted resolution GOV/2025/38, determining that Iran’s lack of cooperation constituted noncompliance. The agency also reported that uranium particles had been detected at undeclared sites, including Varamin and Marivan, without sufficient explanation from Iranian authorities.
Iran responded to the findings by announcing further nuclear developments, including new enrichment infrastructure and the use of advanced centrifuges. Prior to reported military strikes in 2025, international assessments indicated that Iran had accumulated significant quantities of enriched uranium, with analysis suggesting the material could potentially be converted into weapons-grade form within short timeframes, according to independent assessments.
Following those events, Iran suspended cooperation with the IAEA, and inspectors withdrew from the country. Iranian officials later confirmed that no agency personnel remained in Iran, according to reporting on the status in the country. As of early 2026, international officials reported that enriched uranium stockpiles remained inside Iran, including material believed to be stored at the Isfahan tunnel complex.
At the same time as the conference, a group of more than 80 countries issued a joint statement condemning Iran’s regional actions and disruptions to international shipping routes, citing impacts on supply chains and energy markets.
Iranian officials rejected criticism of its appointment. Iran’s ambassador to the IAEA, Reza Najafi, described objections as “baseless and politically motivated,” while maintaining that the country supports global nuclear disarmament.
The conference chair, Vietnam’s UN ambassador Do Hung Viet, stated that Iran’s selection reflected its nomination by the Non-Aligned Movement.
The vice presidency role is one of several recent positions Iran has obtained within UN-related bodies. In February 2026, Iran was selected as vice-chair of the UN Commission for Social Development and the UN Charter Committee. In April 2026, it was also nominated to the UN Committee for Programme and Coordination, a body involved in policy discussions related to human rights, disarmament, and terrorism prevention.
Iran had previously been removed from the UN Commission on the Status of Women in 2022 following international response to its handling of protests after the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody.
The developments come as diplomatic tensions continue regarding Iran’s nuclear program and broader regional activities, with Iranian officials maintaining that restrictions on its nuclear activities should not be included in future negotiations.
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