The 2026 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) concluded on May 23 in New York without adopting a consensus final document for the third consecutive meeting [1, 2].
A total of 191 parties attended the conference, which lasted four weeks from April 27 to May 23, chaired by Vietnam’s UN Ambassador Do Hung Viet [1, 2]. The event focused on nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation, and peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
Tensions between the United States and Iran proved a central barrier to agreement. The US accused Iran of contempt for its NPT commitments, citing Tehran’s lack of transparency regarding its nuclear program. Iran responded by condemning US and Israeli air attacks on its nuclear sites as violations of international law [1].
Complicating the issue, Iran has withheld International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors from certain nuclear sites damaged in US airstrikes in June 2025, raising further concerns about its nuclear activities [1]. Differences over Iran’s nuclear development were identified as a chief reason for the failure to adopt a final document [2].
Jiro Hamasumi, Secretary-General of Nihon Hidankyo, called the outcome “simply regrettable” given the four weeks of talks [2]. The conference’s inability to agree marks the third straight NPT Review Conference ending without a consensus final document [1].
The next major milestone will be the 2030 NPT Review Conference, with several diplomatic efforts expected to continue addressing contentious nuclear questions in the meantime.
