TEHRAN – Iran’s Assembly of Experts has described a review of the country’s defense doctrine and the strengthening of its deterrence capabilities as an unavoidable national necessity, calling for serious consideration of withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in response to mounting threats against the country.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Assembly addressed a range of pressing domestic and foreign policy issues, including growing public demands for withdrawal from the NPT, the need to revise Iran’s defense doctrine, the continuation of resistance on the battlefield, and the pursuit of dignified diplomacy.
Referring to repeated threats against Iran, particularly those targeting its nuclear capabilities, the Assembly said such threats had demonstrated that the country could no longer place its confidence in international institutions entrusted with safeguarding its rights and interests. "Accordingly, examining withdrawal from the NPT, revisiting the country's defense doctrine and establishing the necessary deterrence capabilities have become unavoidable necessities and matters of national and public demand," the statement said, urging officials to address these demands in accordance with the Leader's guidance.
The Assembly also cautioned against making concessions to Washington in the hope of curbing its hostility toward Iran, citing the Leader's remarks that those who believe concessions could persuade the United States to abandon its antagonistic stance toward the Iranian nation are seriously mistaken.
