TEHRAN – Iran's Assembly of Experts has called for a review of the country's possible withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and a revision of its defense doctrine, saying repeated threats and military attacks against Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities have made stronger deterrence an "unavoidable necessity".

In a statement issued Thursday, the assembly said the threats against Iran, particularly those targeting its nuclear capabilities, demonstrated that the country cannot rely on international institutions to protect its rights and interests.

"Reviewing the issue of withdrawal from the NPT and revising the country's defense doctrine, as well as creating the necessary deterrence, has become an unavoidable necessity and a public and national demand," the statement said.

The assembly's demand follows Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities beginning on June 13, 2025, and U.S. strikes on the facilities at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan on June 22.

The attacks targeted facilities belonging to Iran's peaceful nuclear program, despite the country's membership in the NPT and years of cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), including international inspections and safeguards monitoring.

Tehran says the attacks exposed a fundamental contradiction in the international non-proliferation system: Iran remains subject to treaty obligations and international nuclear monitoring, yet its safeguarded nuclear infrastructure is subjected to military attacks.

Iranian officials have questioned the value of remaining in the NPT when membership and cooperation with the IAEA have failed to prevent attacks against the country's nuclear installations or secure effective international action to protect them.

The assembly said the repeated threats against Iran's nuclear knowledge and capabilities show that there can be no reliance on international institutions in this regard.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said on June 13 that nuclear facilities must never be attacked, regardless of the circumstances. He also recalled the agency's resolutions stating that armed attacks against nuclear facilities devoted to peaceful purposes violate the principles of the United Nations Charter, international law and the IAEA Statute.

However, from Tehran's perspective, expressions of concern and calls for restraint have not provided meaningful protection against further attacks or ensured accountability for those responsible.

Following the strikes, the IAEA halted verification activities at affected facilities and withdrew its inspectors from Iran at the end of June 2025 for safety reasons. Iran subsequently suspended cooperation with the agency under a law enacted in July.

The assembly's call for reconsidering NPT membership reflects growing questions within Iran over the benefits of continued participation in a treaty whose obligations have not been accompanied by adequate guarantees for the country's sovereignty and peaceful nuclear infrastructure.

The statement called on Iranian officials to consider the issue under the guidance of the country's leadership.

The assembly also stressed the need to address economic difficulties and people's livelihoods, describing the public as the main foundation of national power.

"The people are the main pillar of national power," the statement said, adding that serving the population and resolving economic and livelihood problems are the most important responsibilities of government officials.

It said Iran's adversaries are relying on economic warfare and attempts to disrupt the country's economic lifelines to weaken national resilience.

The assembly proposed establishing a "wartime economic headquarters" involving different branches of government and operating under the senior supervision of the leadership institution.

On the prospect of renewed military aggression, it warned that any further attack would be met with an immediate and forceful response.

"If the unsuccessful enemies intend to test their luck again and launch another attack, they will certainly face an immediate and effective response, without geographical limitations, from our heroic forces," the statement said.

It called on Iran's foreign policy establishment to act in line with the country's resistance policy and convey Tehran's position firmly, particularly to neighboring countries.

"The security of this region can only be provided by the people of the region," the statement said, adding that the presence of foreign forces from thousands of kilometers away is a principal source of regional insecurity.

The assembly also rejected concessions to Washington in the hope of ending U.S. hostility towards Iran.

"Those who believe that by granting concessions to America they can dissuade it from hostility towards the Iranian nation are seriously mistaken," it said.

It warned that any inclination towards surrender will undermine achievements secured through the sacrifices of the Iranian people and encourage further demands and aggression.

The statement praised fighters in Yemen and Lebanon, saying their resistance demonstrates the effectiveness of the strategy of "unity of arenas".

It said continued support for regional resistance groups must remain among the country's important priorities.

The assembly also addressed domestic cultural issues, particularly hijab and what it described as an enemy campaign to undermine Iranian society through social and cultural pressure.

It called on government institutions to protect the country's cultural and religious identity and fulfil their legal and religious responsibilities.

The statement further condemned court rulings in some regional countries against Muslim citizens, particularly young people and religious scholars, describing them as violations of religious rights and human dignity.

It urged the governments concerned to revoke the rulings.

The assembly praised eight months of public presence in streets and squares, crediting popular unity and the resistance of the armed forces with strengthening Iran's position against its adversaries.