Iran Threatens Nuclear Treaty Exit Amid Ongoing U.S.-Israeli Strikes

Iranian officials have revived threats to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) following a series of combined U.S. and Israeli strikes that have significantly degraded the country’s missile and nuclear infrastructure. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has specifically warned of retaliatory strikes against U.S.- and Israeli-affiliated universities in the Middle East, a shift toward targeting academic and soft infrastructure. This escalation comes as regional experts assess severe damage to Iranian missile production and research sites. The conflict, which entered its second month on March 28, has caused widespread humanitarian and economic disruption. Reports from within Iran describe devastating impacts on civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and schools in Tehran. Meanwhile, Gulf neighbors, led by Saudi Arabia, have expressed heightened concerns over a potential nuclear arms race. Riyadh has signaled it may pursue its own nuclear deterrent should Iran abandon international non-proliferation standards. Despite the intensity of the kinetic campaign, diplomatic back-channels remain active. President Trump recently announced a five-day delay in strikes on energy targets, citing "very good and productive conversations" regarding a possible resolution. However, Iranian diplomats continue to criticize the international community for failing to condemn the attacks on their facilities, suggesting a deep divide remains between the warring parties and international monitors like the IAEA.