Analysis of the 2017 Treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and its Consequences on Iran

The treaty on prohibition of nuclear weapons was adopted on 20 September 2017 and up until now (July 2021), 53 states have acceded to it. The treaty, which is the international community’s latest legal action against nuclear weapons, entered into force on 22 January 2021. Iran confirmed the final text of the treaty at the UN conference in New York on 7 July 2017, but has so far failed to accede to it. This study analyzed the extent of the treaty’s influence on the process of nuclear disarmament and the delegitimization of nuclear weapons in the world. The consequences of the accession of Iran to this treaty were also studied and analyzed by employing a descriptive- analytical research method. The results portrayed that while the implementation of the treaty would strengthen the process of nuclear disarmament and delegitimization of nuclear weapons in the world and increase pressure against states with nuclear weapons, the strong objection of such states, would hinder the realization of the treaty goals. Furthermore, although Iran’s accession to the treaty may strengthen its international status in the campaign against nuclear weapons and its compliance with nuclear transparency, at the same time its accession may bring new international challenges for the country.