TEHRAN — Iranian lawmakers are preparing a draft bill that could lead the country to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), amid a sharp escalation in hostilities with Israel. The announcement was made by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei during a press briefing on Monday.

Baghaei emphasized that although no final decision has been made, “In light of recent developments, we will take an appropriate decision.” He added that while the draft is still in its early stages, the government will coordinate closely with parliament as it moves forward.

Iran has long claimed its nuclear ambitions are strictly peaceful. However, tensions reignited after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently declared Tehran to be in breach of its NPT commitments. The treaty, signed by Iran in 1970, allows for peaceful nuclear energy use under strict conditions and international oversight to prevent the development of atomic weapons.

Conflict Deepens: Missiles and Retaliation

Over the weekend, the Middle East was rocked by intense military exchanges. In a dramatic escalation, Iranian missiles struck Tel Aviv and Haifa before dawn on Monday, killing at least eight people and causing widespread destruction. Video footage showed explosions over Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, with some rockets landing dangerously close to the U.S. embassy branch.

In retaliation, Israel launched a series of airstrikes targeting Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure. Iranian health officials report over 224 people killed—90% of them civilians—since the Israeli strikes began on Friday. Israel has reported 23 civilian deaths and over 100 injuries, according to emergency services.

A missile strike in Haifa caused fires at a power plant, and a separate attack in Tel Aviv destroyed multiple apartment buildings, sending residents scrambling for shelter.

Iran’s ‘New Method’ and Israel’s Response

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed to have used a new strategic approach in their latest attack, saying it confused Israel’s multi-layered defense system and enabled more missiles to reach their targets. Specific details about the tactic remain undisclosed.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant issued a stern warning: “The residents of Tehran will pay the price, and soon.” He accused Iran’s leadership of cowardice, labeling the latest attacks as efforts to deflect from mounting internal failures.

Meanwhile, Israel’s military said it had launched fresh strikes targeting Iranian Revolutionary Guard command centers.

Global Concern: G7 Summit and Oil Markets

As the crisis escalates, leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) convened in Canada, with the Israel-Iran conflict taking center stage. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz outlined the group’s priorities: preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, supporting Israel’s right to self-defense, and urging diplomatic solutions.

U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking ahead of the summit, said, “I hope there’s going to be a deal. I think it’s time for a deal,” but added that sometimes conflicts “have to be fought out.”

In financial markets, the geopolitical unrest has pushed Brent crude oil prices up 0.5%, reflecting investor unease about potential disruptions to global energy supplies. However, stock and currency markets in Asia remained relatively stable.

Controversy in Washington: Alleged Assassination Veto

Adding to the complexity, Reuters reported that President Trump recently vetoed an Israeli proposal to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declined to confirm or deny the claim in a Fox News interview, dismissing it as “false reports of conversations that never happened.”

Tehran’s Position

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed parliament on Monday, reaffirming Iran’s claim that it has no interest in nuclear weapons. “Our goal is peaceful nuclear research and energy,” he stated. However, he stopped short of ruling out the country’s withdrawal from the NPT, hinting that all options remain on the table as tensions rise.

As the conflict continues to unfold, fears grow over a potential full-scale regional war. While international leaders call for de-escalation, both Iran and Israel appear committed to pressing forward with their respective military strategies—for now.