Wednesday, 27 May 2026
Egypt renews call for a nuclear weapons-free Middle East
In a statement ahead of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) General Conference scheduled for September 15-19 in Vienna, Egypt has renewed its call for the Middle East to become a region free of nuclear weapons and all weapons of mass destruction.
The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized the importance of universal adherence to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), urging all countries in the Middle East to join the treaty without exception and to place their nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards. Egypt highlighted the need for transparency and equal standards in overseeing nuclear programs across the region, warning that double standards can fuel regional tensions.
Egypt underscored its longstanding commitment to nuclear disarmament and regional security, being among the first nations to advocate for a Middle East free of nuclear weapons since introducing a United Nations initiative in 1974. The statement described this goal as vital for both regional and global stability and for preventing an arms race that threatens international peace.
Expressing concern over the ongoing threat posed by nuclear weapons, Egypt called on the international community to take serious action and uphold their commitments under the NPT, especially with regard to nuclear disarmament. It also referenced the 1995 NPT Review and Extension Conference decision on establishing a nuclear weapons-free zone in the Middle East, emphasizing that fulfilling this decision is crucial for the credibility of the non-proliferation regime.
Egypt’s renewed appeal invites global partners to work collaboratively toward the vision of a safer, nuclear weapons-free world.