Attacks on peaceful nuclear programmes undermine NPT’s legitimacy: Italian scholar

ISLAMABAD: An Italian scholar and international affairs expert, Ms. Ludovica Castelli, has criticised the erosion of global non-proliferation norms, arguing that attacks on peaceful nuclear programmes undermine the legitimacy of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

She heads Italy’s Istituto Affari Internazionali and addressing here Friday at an in-house discussion here on Israeli aggression against Iran, hosted by the Centre for International Strategic Studies (CISS).

The experts called on regional actors, including Pakistan, to adopt a proactive, balanced, and calibrated diplomatic approach as the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel threatens to destabilise the wider Middle East and strain global security frameworks. They condemned Israel’s attack on Iran as a violation of international law and warned that continued hostilities could trigger a broader regional conflict with severe consequences for international peace and stability.

Ambassador Ali Sarwar Naqvi, executive director of CISS, described the Israeli operation as an “unprovoked” and “unprecedented aerial assault.” The offensive followed years of Israeli actions in Gaza and saw it as turning point in the broader Middle East conflict. Despite the hardships and prolonged curbs, Iran’s resilience, shaped by its history of enduring conflicts like the Iran-Iraq War, has left it better prepared for the current conflict, while the Israeli population, unaccustomed to direct external attacks, is facing fear, panic, and psychological distress, he noted.

Shams-Uz-Zaman detailed the technological and intelligence dimensions of Israel’s operation, he warned that Iran’s critical infrastructure remains vulnerable to future hybrid threats unless stronger cyber defences are implemented.

Ms. Castelli criticised the erosion of global non-proliferation norms, arguing that attacks on peaceful nuclear programmes undermine the legitimacy of the NPT. Although powerful states profess commitment to the treaty and the oversight of the IAEA, their actions often bypass these frameworks, weakening their credibility and encouraging secrecy among other countries, she maintained. Targeting states for legally permitted enrichment activities undermine the NPT’s core principle of equal access to peaceful nuclear technology and contributing to a fragile, inconsistent global non-proliferation system, she said via video link.

Jahandad highlighted how great power politics, particularly Russia’s preoccupation with Ukraine, have emboldened Israel to take aggressive action without fear of a pushback. He cautioned against viewing military power as a viable path to lasting political outcomes.