US and Iran clash at UN nuclear treaty meet over Tehran's vice-president role

The United States and Iran clashed at the UN review conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty over Tehran's appointment as a vice president. The exchange brought wider tensions over Iran's nuclear programme into a key global arms control forum.

In Short

• Washington said Tehran's record with the IAEA raised serious credibility concerns
• Christopher Yeaw called Iran's elevation an affront and beyond shameful
• Reza Najafi said the American criticism was baseless and politically motivated

The United Nations witnessed a sharp exchange between the United States and Iran on Monday as tensions over Tehran’s nuclear program spilled into a key global conference on arms control.

The 11th review conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which came into force in 1970, opened in New York with disagreement already brewing over Iran’s selection as one of 34 vice presidents for the month-long meeting. The appointment was made by the Non-Aligned group, according to conference chair Do Hung Viet.

Washington strongly objected. Christopher Yeaw, a senior official at the US Bureau of Arms Control and Nonproliferation, described Iran’s inclusion as an “affront” to the treaty. He accused Tehran of long-standing non-compliance and of refusing to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency over concerns about its nuclear activities.

Calling the decision “beyond shameful,” Yeaw said it undermined the credibility of the conference.

Iran swiftly rejected the criticism. Reza Najafi dismissed the US remarks as “baseless and politically motivated,” and countered by highlighting Washington’s own nuclear history and ongoing arsenal expansion.

The diplomatic clash comes against the backdrop of a continuing conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel, where nuclear tensions remain central. US President Donald Trump reiterated over the weekend that Iran must never acquire nuclear weapons, maintaining a firm US stance.

Tehran has long argued that it has the right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes, while Western powers fear such capabilities could be diverted toward weapons development. Although Iran denies seeking nuclear arms, both the IAEA and US intelligence assessments have previously indicated that Tehran pursued a weapons program until 2003.

In a possible diplomatic opening, Iranian sources on Monday outlined a proposal to ease tensions, suggesting that nuclear discussions be postponed until the current conflict ends and disputes over Gulf shipping are resolved.

Meanwhile, Trump held consultations with top national security officials, with the White House reiterating that US red lines on Iran’s nuclear ambitions remain unchanged.

- Ends