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Nakamitsu names India, Pakistan and Israel as non‑party nuclear states and says Iran intends to participate in NPT review
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Summary
In response to questions about Iran and universalization, Nakamitsu said Iran intends to participate in the Review Conference, and reiterated that India, Pakistan and Israel possess nuclear weapons outside the NPT; she also listed Israel, India, Pakistan and South Sudan as states the NPT has previously called upon to accede.
When asked whether Iran would participate and whether the 2026 Review Conference could reach consensus after 2022’s failed outcome, Izumi Nakamitsu said a shared sense of crisis among states parties offers reason for guarded hope and that Iran has indicated it intends to participate, though the government had not yet confirmed who would lead its delegation.
On the question of non‑party nuclear states, Nakamitsu stated plainly that India and Pakistan possess nuclear weapons outside the NPT framework, and that Israel has neither formally admitted nor denied possession but is “generally speaking” recognized as possessing nuclear weapons and is not a party. She also listed four states the NPT has historically called upon to accede in universalization language: Israel, India, Pakistan and South Sudan.
Nakamitsu emphasized that the Middle East resolution adopted in 1995 is still recognized by states parties and that there is a separate U.N. General Assembly process on establishing a Middle East zone free of weapons of mass destruction; her office supports that parallel process while acknowledging it is distinct from the NPT negotiations.
The High Representative warned that, even if no consensus outcome document is adopted, the NPT itself would endure but risks to its credibility increase if substantive conclusions are absent.
