This session was devoted to an overview by Dr. Ali Akbar Salehi of the Iranian nuclear-weapon nonproliferation policy, by General Khalid Ahmad Kidwai of the nuclear-weapon policy of Pakistan, and by Professor Harald Muller of the general international status of the nuclear nonproliferation issue.

Dr. Salehi-drawing on his detailed knowledge of the nuclear policy of Iran deriving from his position as President of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran and main negotiator of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), but speaking in his personal capacity as traditionally done at Amaldi Conferences-provided a detailed survey of this topic, including the status of the JCPOA. In answer to a question from the floor, he reiterated the commitment of Iran to complete compliance with the JCPOA-as confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)-but also explained that, should another state member of the JCPOA agreement walk out of the commitments implied by that agreement, Iran might also reconsider its position, a final decision on that matter resting with the top authorities of his country.

General Kidwai-drawing on his experience as main supervisor of the development of the Pakistani nuclear forces and of the strategic motivation of that development-provided a clear presentation of the nuclear weapon policy of Pakistan, with particular reference to the need to deter via the presence of nuclear weapons a catastrophic war among India and Pakistan.

Professor Muller provided a lucid survey of the international situation concerning the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons, expressing his concern about the continued reluctance by the nuclear-weapon countries to make significant progress towards the eventual achievement of a nuclear-weapon-free world, thereby demonstrating their reluctance to fulfil their part of the deal underlining the Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT); hence the risk of an eventual, catastrophic collapse of the NPT.