The Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty is an international agreement continuing from 1970 to prevent the spread of nations possessing nuclear weapons and work toward arms reduction.

The review conference to assess the current situation begins from April 27 in the United States amid major turbulence in the international order since the last meeting in 2022.

With about 190 member nations and regions, the NPT allows five nations to possess nuclear weapons—the United States, Russia, Britain, France and China.

Among other nations believed to have nuclear weapons, India, Pakistan and Israel have not joined the NPT and North Korea announced that it was leaving the pact.

The review conference will be held after Iran, a member nation, was attacked by the United States and Israel in what has been described as a violation of international law.

While Iran cannot be allowed to possess nuclear weapons, the use of force to prevent........

© The Asahi Shimbun