Iran Moves Toward Possible Withdrawal From NPT

According to reports, the evacuation of Indian students from three medical universities in Tehran has already begun. Indian officials stressed that the directive applies to all citizens, regardless of visa status, and noted that foreign nationals will not be permitted to accompany them during evacuation efforts.

With Iran’s airspace reportedly closed, Indian media have indicated that air evacuations are currently not feasible. Authorities are instead exploring alternative routes, including a potential sea evacuation via the port of Bandar Abbas in southern Iran.

There have also been reports that some Indian nationals may be able to exit Iran through its northern border with Azerbaijan. However, it remains unclear whether land routes through Azerbaijan or Armenia will be formally used as part of the evacuation strategy.

Officials have not ruled out the possibility of using Iran’s eastern border with Afghanistan as a contingency option. The Indian government has yet to release detailed plans for the evacuation process.

Speaking at a press conference, Baghaei said, “We have launched a valiant battle and will continue it with strength.” He dismissed calls for de-escalation, stating, “Ambiguous remarks calling on Iran to show restraint are nothing but nonsense.”

His comments come a day after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Iran would halt its operations if Israel stopped its attacks. The contrast between the two statements reflects apparent divisions within the government’s messaging as tensions in the region continue to escalate.

No response has yet been issued by Israeli officials regarding his remarks.

In an interview with CNN, Sa’ar stated, “The goal is not regime change. That’s for the Iranian people to decide. We, Israel, do not see the Iranian people as our enemies.”

His remarks come amid heightened tensions and ongoing hostilities between Israel and Iran. When asked whether the removal of Iran’s leadership, headed by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, was among Israel’s objectives, Sa’ar reiterated that Israel’s focus is not on toppling the regime but on defending itself.

Sa’ar acknowledged that Israel anticipated civilian casualties resulting from Iran’s retaliatory operations but said Israel had “no other choice.”

“When we made this historic, difficult decision, we knew we would face hard times and suffer losses,” he said. “But even so, we had no other choice.”

He further warned that Israeli intelligence assessments indicated Iran could potentially develop a nuclear weapon within six months.

The foreign minister also expressed appreciation for US military support but noted that Washington would make its own decisions regarding involvement in targeting Iranian military infrastructure.

Speaking early Sunday, he warned that Iran’s military response would continue if, as he described it, Israeli aggression does not cease.

“On the first night of our attack on Israel, we targeted only military objectives,” Araghchi said. “But since last night, we have hit economic targets and Israeli refineries.”

He defended Iran’s actions as legitimate self-defence, accusing Israel of crossing a red line by targeting Iranian nuclear facilities. Araghchi described Israel’s strikes on refineries and the energy hub of Asaluyeh as a “strategic mistake” and warned that further escalation in the Persian Gulf could risk triggering a wider global conflict.

The foreign minister also directed sharp criticism at Washington, accusing the United States of actively supporting Israel’s military campaign. “The US should clearly and publicly oppose Israel’s attacks, not just in private messages,” he said.

“We do not accept Washington’s claim that it is uninvolved in these attacks. We have evidence to the contrary,” he added, insisting that Iran would not agree to any deal that limits its access to nuclear energy.

The report states that Hejazi, along with several other senior Islamic Republic officials, is preparing contingency plans in the event of a significant deterioration in Iran’s internal situation.

A senior Russian official has allegedly assured Hejazi that, if necessary, arrangements would be made to evacuate him and his family through a secure corridor.

Sources also indicate that similar assurances have been given to other high-ranking Iranian officials, with some said to be in the final stages of planning their departure from the country.

Iranian authorities have not publicly responded to the report, and the claims could not be independently verified.