Iran elected NPT vice president, sparking clash with US
Washington voices shock as Tehran-backed NAM nomination exposes sharp divisions over nuclear policy and treaty commitments
NEW YORK (MNTV) — Iran’s election as one of the vice presidents of the 2026 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference at the United Nations triggered a sharp verbal clash with the United States during the opening session of the four-week meeting on Monday.
The confrontation unfolded after Iran secured one of 34 vice presidential posts, prompting a strong reaction from the U.S. delegation. Christopher Yeo said the administration of Donald Trump was “deeply shocked” that a country it accuses of showing “contempt” for the treaty had been elected.
Iran was nominated by the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), a bloc representing 121 developing nations that advocate nuclear disarmament and the right to peaceful nuclear technology.
Several U.S. allies, including Australia and the United Arab Emirates, echoed Washington’s objection, while Britain, France and Germany voiced concern. Russia, however, rejected any attempt to single out Iran.
Iran’s envoy to the UN in Vienna, Reza Najafi, dismissed the U.S. accusations as “baseless and politically motivated,” accusing Washington of hypocrisy over its nuclear record and policies.
He said the United States, the only country to have used nuclear weapons, continues to expand its arsenal and blocks efforts to establish a weapons-of-mass-destruction-free zone in West Asia, while shielding Israel’s undeclared nuclear capabilities.
Najafi also condemned recent U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities as violations of international law and the global nonproliferation regime.
The dispute reflects broader tensions between Washington and Tehran, with Iran accusing the United States of pursuing a campaign of sanctions, military pressure and diplomatic efforts aimed at undermining its rights under the NPT.
Iran has called on the conference to press Israel to join the treaty and place its nuclear facilities under international safeguards.
Tehran has long promoted nuclear disarmament and a nuclear-weapons-free West Asia, while insisting on its right to peaceful nuclear energy under the NPT.
Despite sustained pressure, Iran says it remains committed to the treaty, and its election — backed by a large bloc of developing nations — underscores continued international divisions over nuclear governance and the direction of the global nonproliferation regime.
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