Ma`rifat Hoghoughi

Despite international efforts to prevent nuclear proliferation and achieve nuclear disarmament, the continued possession of nuclear arsenals by certain states, the development of nuclear triads, disregard for international commitments, and the emergence of double standards have undermined the existing legal order and reinforced inequality in access to this technology. The aim of this research is to examine Iran's rights concerning nuclear weapons in comparison with other states. This study has been conducted using a descriptive-analytical method. The findings indicate that the nine nuclear states of the world enjoy rights related to nuclear weapons-such as research, development, and production of such weapons-based on the NPT, or in some cases, based on non-accession to or withdrawal from the NPT, citing the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice, the absence of customary international law prohibiting the research and production of nuclear weapons, and general principles of law. The Islamic Republic of Iran, likewise, due to the legal gaps in the NPT, the discriminatory nature of its provisions, the adoption of double standards by international organizations in dealing with Iran's nuclear program, regional and global geopolitical developments, shifts in the balance of power, and citing the International Court of Justice's Advisory Opinion and the absence of a specific customary rule prohibiting the research and production of such weapons, could-by changing its nuclear doctrine-enjoy rights related to nuclear weapons.