US criticises failure of NPT review conference to reach consensus

The United States has expressed regret over the failure of states party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) to reach consensus on a final document at the conclusion of the 2026 Review Conference, warning that concerns over Iran’s nuclear activities must not be ignored.

In a statement, US State Department spokesperson Thomas Pigott said Washington remained firmly committed to the treaty and its three pillars: nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation, and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, Caliber.Az reports. 

“The inability of some NPT States Parties to take Iran’s threat to global nonproliferation seriously will be addressed by the United States in our continuing engagements," the statement said.

Pigott said the outcome was particularly disappointing given what Washington described as Iran’s continued noncompliance with its safeguards obligations under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

“The failure to achieve consensus is all the more disappointing given Iran’s continued noncompliance with its NPT-required safeguards agreement with the IAEA and its escalating nuclear activities for which there is no credible civilian justification," the statement added. 

He added that member states should not ignore what he described as Iran’s noncompliance, warning that accountability mechanisms under the treaty must be upheld.

“For the NPT Review Conference to uphold its founding mandate, States Parties cannot turn a blind eye to Iran’s noncompliance, nor can violators be allowed to undermine the enforcement and accountability mechanisms at the core of the NPT," he noted. 

By Sabina Mammadli