Abstract:
Despite international efforts to prevent nuclear proliferation and disarmament, the continued possession of nuclear arsenals by some countries and the development of nuclear triads, disregard for international obligations, and the formation of double standards have weakened the existing legal order and strengthened inequality in accessing this technology. The purpose of this research is to examine the laws of Iran and compare them with those of other countries in relation to nuclear weapons. The present research is written using a descriptive-analytical method. The results of the research show that nine nuclear-weapon states in the world have rights related to nuclear weapons, such as research, production, and construction of these weapons based on the NPT treaty, and some based on their non-accession to the NPT treaty or withdrawal from it, and citing the International Court of Justice's ruling, the lack of customary formation prohibiting the research and production of nuclear weapons, and general legal principles. The Islamic Republic of Iran, due to the legal loopholes in the NPT treaty and the discriminatory nature of its clauses, the adoption of double standards by international organizations in dealing with Iran's nuclear program, geopolitical developments in the region and the world, the shift in the balance of power, and, citing the ruling of the International Court of Justice, the lack of a specific customary law prohibiting the research and production of these weapons, must change its nuclear doctrine to enjoy rights related to nuclear weapons.