27/04/2026
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27/04/2026
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VIENNA, Apr 27: United States and Iran exchanged sharp accusations at the opening of a major United Nations nuclear meeting on Monday, as tensions flared over Tehran’s nuclear programme and its role in the forum leadership.
The dispute erupted during the start of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty Review Conference, a four-week gathering focused on global nuclear safeguards. The controversy centred on Iran’s election as one of 34 vice-presidents of the conference, a nomination put forward by the Non-Aligned Movement representing 121 developing countries.
The US delegation, backed by Australia, the United Arab Emirates, and supported by concerns raised by the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, said it was “deeply shocked” that Iran—accused of showing “contempt” for the treaty—had been given a senior role in the proceedings.
Russia opposed efforts to single out Iran during the session, warning against politicizing the conference structure.
In response, Iran’s Ambassador to the UN in Vienna, Reza Najafi, firmly rejected the US remarks, calling the allegations “baseless and politically motivated.”
The opening exchanges signal a tense conference ahead, with deep divisions expected to continue over Iran’s nuclear ambitions and broader non-proliferation concerns.
