Warning over U.S. threats consequences against Iran’s peaceful nuclear program

Pars Today – Tehran has warned about the consequences of recent U.S. threats targeting Iran’s peaceful nuclear program.

According to Pars Today, the Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the international organizations in Vienna, in response to recent U.S. threats against Iran’s peaceful nuclear program, sent a letter to Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), warning about the dangerous consequences of normalizing such threats for the credibility of the Agency and the global non-proliferation regime.

On Wednesday evening, the mission also issued a statement on the social media platform X, cautioning that normalizing such threats jeopardizes the IAEA’s credibility and undermines the international trust built on its verification activities.

The statement added that such reckless actions must be condemned and that those responsible should be fully held accountable.

This statement was issued as U.S. President Donald Trump, on Monday, December 29, after meeting with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, repeated his past rhetoric and threats against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

In remarks directed at Iran, Trump claimed: “I’ve heard that Iran is trying to rebuild (its nuclear capabilities), and if it does, we will destroy it. Of course, I hope that doesn’t happen.”

When asked whether he would allow Netanyahu to launch another attack on Iran, Trump replied: “For ballistic missiles, yes. For nuclear weapons, quickly!”

Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Foreign Minister, described the threats made by the U.S. President as a blatant violation of international law and the UN Charter, calling for their explicit and decisive condemnation by all parties. He emphasized Iran’s inherent and undeniable right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter, stating that the Islamic Republic will not hesitate to respond decisively and in a way that causes regret to any aggressor.

Separately, Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a formal communication to the UN Secretary-General and the President of the UN Security Council, expressing strong protest over the provocative remarks and illegal threats made by the U.S. President.

It appears that the repeated U.S. threats against Iran’s peaceful nuclear program go beyond a bilateral political or security dispute and carry profound implications for the credibility of international institutions and the global non-proliferation regime.

These threats not only undermine trust between nations but also gradually establish a dangerous trend of normalizing political pressure on legitimate and lawful nuclear activities. Such a trajectory has the potential to destabilize the legal and ethical foundations of the international system.

Iran’s nuclear program is conducted in accordance with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Iran has repeatedly stated that its goal is the peaceful use of nuclear energy in areas such as electricity generation, medicine, and agriculture.

However, threats from the United States and some of its allies portray these activities as a potential danger and, using political and economic tools, attempt to limit Iran’s scientific and technological development. This approach challenges the fundamental principle of every country’s right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

Certainly, the continued U.S. threats against Iran’s peaceful nuclear program carry serious consequences:

The first consequence is the weakening of the credibility of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The IAEA is a technical and specialized body tasked with evaluating countries’ nuclear activities based on scientific and legal standards. When the Agency’s decisions and reports are subjected to the political pressure of major powers, global confidence in its neutrality and independence diminishes.

If countries perceive that the IAEA’s assessments are based not on technical realities but on political considerations, their cooperation with the Agency and compliance with its regulations will be undermined. Unfortunately, the passive response of IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi to Israel and the U.S.’s attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities during the 12-day conflict has emboldened Trump, contributing to his recent threats against Iran’s peaceful nuclear program.

The second consequence is a blow to the global non-proliferation regime. This regime is built on mutual commitments: countries refrain from acquiring nuclear weapons, and in return, their right to peaceful nuclear technology is guaranteed.

U.S. threats against Iran disrupt this balance. If a country that adheres to its obligations continues to face pressure and threats, other nations will have less incentive to comply with their commitments. As a result, the risk of spreading distrust increases, and some countries may even be tempted to pursue opaque or clandestine nuclear paths.

The third consequence is the normalization of threats as a tool of foreign policy. When threats against a country’s lawful activities become routine, this practice can spread to other areas.

In the future, countries might resort to threats and pressure to limit the scientific or economic achievements of their rivals. Such a trend endangers international security and also poisons the global environment for scientific and technological cooperation.

Finally, it must be emphasized that the continuation of these threats weakens rather than strengthens global security. The real solution lies in adherence to international law, respect for countries’ right to peaceful nuclear energy, and reinforcing the IAEA’s neutral role.

Only through dialogue, confidence-building, and multilateral cooperation can the non-proliferation regime be preserved and the credibility of international institutions protected. Threats and pressure endanger not only Iran but the entire global non-proliferation framework, creating a risky future for international security.