Russia Blames US as NPT Conference Ends in Deadlock Over Iran Dispute

The latest Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) ended without a consensus agreement after deep divisions emerged over Iran’s nuclear programme , with Russia accusing the United States and its allies of blocking compromise during the month-long United Nations meeting.

The conference, held at the UN headquarters in New York from April 27 to May 22, brought together representatives from nearly 191 member states to review commitments on nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and peaceful nuclear energy use. It marked the third consecutive NPT review conference to fail to adopt a final outcome document after similar collapses in 2015 and 2022.

In a statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry said negotiators had come close to agreement under the leadership of Vietnamese Ambassador Do Hung Viet , who chaired the conference. Moscow claimed unresolved disagreements caused by the “rigid positions” of the US and its allies prevented the final draft from being approved.

Diplomats said one of the main sticking points was wording in the draft text declaring that Iran “can never seek, develop or acquire” nuclear weapons. Iran opposed the language, while Washington accused Tehran of violating NPT obligations through uranium enrichment and limiting inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) .

The talks unfolded amid heightened tensions following the February 28 US-Israel strikes on Iran , which Washington said were intended to stop Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. Iran insists its nuclear programme is for civilian purposes only.

Experts also warned the conference took place during a fragile period for global arms control after the expiry of the New START treaty , leaving the US and Russia without active limits on their strategic nuclear arsenals.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed concern over rising nuclear risks, while Ambassador Do Hung Viet described the failure to reach consensus as a missed opportunity to strengthen global security.