The Impact of Israel and the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Actions on Weakening the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) from the Perspective of Countries
Subject Areas : International law
1 - Department of International Law, Faculty of Law, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran
Keywords: NPT, Israel, International Atomic Energy Agency, Weakening of the Regime, Nuclear Program,
Abstract :
The Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), as the cornerstone of the global nuclear weapons control regime, is of high significance with the aim of preventing the spread of nuclear technology and weapons in non-nuclear states. However, in recent years, this regime has faced serious challenges, a significant portion of which can be attributed to the non-transparent and unofficial actions of certain countries, as well as the double standards of international organizations. Israel, with its secret nuclear program and without being a member of the NPT, operates without any official international oversight, which has led to deep concerns among regional and global countries about security balance and regional stability. Simultaneously, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), whose main mission is to monitor the implementation of the obligations of member states and ensure the peaceful nature of nuclear programs, has faced numerous criticisms regarding its unequal performance and double standards, further weakening its position and effectiveness in the international arena. This study aims to examine the direct and indirect impacts of Israel’s and the IAEA’s actions on the weakening of the NPT regime and the reactions of various regional and international countries. Using documented data and field evidence, this research shows that the lack of transparency and Israel’s exclusion from the treaty has not only created a security vacuum in the Middle East but also led to a dichotomy in the implementation of obligations and oversight of other countries’ nuclear programs. Additionally, the increased lack of trust among NPT members and the double actions of some international organizations have escalated tensions and reduced diplomatic cooperation. Furthermore, the reactions of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the European Union, and the United States have been significantly different, with each of these actors adopting a different interpretation and approach to this issue based on their own interests and policies. Based on the findings of this study, solutions such as implementing fair and inclusive oversight by the IAEA, requiring transparency in nuclear programs, and enhancing multilateral cooperation by the international community are proposed to strengthen the NPT regime to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and ensure regional and global security. Ultimately, this article emphasizes that without constructive interaction, sufficient transparency, and effective cooperation among member countries and monitoring organizations, global efforts to combat nuclear weapons proliferation will fail, and its consequences for international security will be devastating.
مسجدی، م. (۱۳۹۸). «بررسی کارکرد رژیم منع گسترش سلاحهای هستهای». نشریه حقوق بینالملل، دوره ۲۵، شماره ۴، صص ۱۲۰-۱۵۰.
مرادی، ا. (۱۳۹۷). «چالشهای رژیم NPT و برنامه هستهای اسرائیل». پژوهشهای حقوق بینالملل، شماره ۳۰، صص ۵۵-۸۰.
جعفری، ر. (۱۳۹۹). «واکنش کشورهای غیرمتعهد به سیاستهای آژانس». مجله سیاست بینالملل، شماره ۴۲، صص ۱۱۰-۱۳۵.
احمدی، ک. (۱۴۰۰). «نقد عملکرد آژانس بینالمللی انرژی اتمی». حقوق ایران، دوره ۱۵، شماره ۲، صص ۷۵-۹۵.
جعفری، سیداحمد. (۱۳۹۹). رفتار سیاسی کشورهای غیرمتعهد در قبال رژیمهای کنترل تسلیحات. فصلنامه پژوهشهای راهبردی.
موسویان، سیدحسین. (۱۴۰۲). چالش هستهای ایران و منطقه. تهران: انتشارات اطلاعات.
Cohen, A. (2010). The Worst-Kept Secret: Israel’s Bargain with the Bomb. Columbia University Press. [ISBN: 978-0231146847]
Freilich, C. (2023). Nuclear Proliferation in the Middle East. Journal of Middle Eastern Policy, 15(1), 53–76.
IAEA. (2023). Safeguards Statement for 2022. Vienna: International Atomic Energy Agency. [https://www.iaea.org/resources/safeguards-annual-report]
Kerr, P.K. (2022). The Middle East Nuclear Weapon Free Zone: Prospects and Challenges. Congressional Research Service (CRS) Report. [https://crsreports.congress.gov]
Mousavian, S. (2023). Iran, the Gulf States, and the Nuclear Dilemma. London: Palgrave Macmillan. [ISBN: 9783031263697]
Nephew, R. (2017). The Art of Sanctions: A View from the Field. New York: Columbia University Press. [ISBN: 978-0231180261]
Persbo, A. (2015). Making Verification Work: The IAEA, Iraq, and Iran. The Nonproliferation Review, 22(2), 163–187. https://doi.org/10.1080/10736700.2015.1071963
Rauf, T. (2014). The IAEA’s Role in Nuclear Verification. IAEA Bulletin, 55(4), 6–15. [https://www.iaea.org/sites/default/files/publications/magazines/bulletin/bull55-4/55405910615.pdf]
SIPRI. (2023). SIPRI Yearbook 2023: Armaments, Disarmament and International Security. Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. [https://www.sipri.org/yearbook/2023]
Thakur, R. (2022). The Crisis of the NPT Regime: Law, Politics and Security. International Affairs, 98(3), 657–680.https://doi.org/10.1093/ia/iiac055