Ten years ago, following the Iran nuclear deal, I wrote in the Guardian about the urgent need for global nuclear disarmament—beginning with creating a Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction. Today, as our region stands on the brink of disaster, that call is no longer just idealistic—it’s a necessity.
This wasn’t a new idea from Iran. Back in 1974, Iran proposed a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East at the UN, a move later supported by Egypt. The proposal passed overwhelmingly in the General Assembly. After Iraq used chemical weapons during the Iran-Iraq war, the initiative expanded in 1990 to include all weapons of mass destruction. Yet for fifty years, progress has been blocked by Israel and its main supporter, the United States.
This stagnation is no accident. Despite strong annual support in the UN General Assembly and repeated commitments under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the Middle East remains one of the few regions without a nuclear-free framework. Over 100 non-aligned states at the 1995 NPT review conference made progress toward such a zone a condition for the treaty’s indefinite extension. Yet thirty years later, little has changed.
In fact, the situation has worsened, proving that while nuclear weapons encourage reckless behavior, they don’t guarantee success, invincibility, or safety. Israel—a nuclear-armed state outside the NPT—recently attacked Iran’s internationally monitored nuclear facilities, pushing the region to the edge of disaster. Israel’s failure to achieve its unjustified goals, along with the U.S. inability to force Iran into submission, could still plunge the region—and the world—into endless conflict.
Enough is enough. We must take control of our region’s security future. It’s time for the Middle East and North Africa to move beyond empty words and toward real cooperation—based on mutual respect and peaceful nuclear energy. That’s why we propose the Middle East Network for Atomic Research and Advancement (Menara), meaning “lighthouse” in Arabic.
Menara would be a regional body promoting peaceful nuclear cooperation. Open to all qualified Middle Eastern and North African states, members must reject nuclear weapons and commit to mutual verification. In return, Menara would help them access peaceful nuclear technology for energy, medicine, agriculture, and research.
This isn’t a replacement for disarmament—it’s a step toward it. Regional nuclear cooperation, with strong safeguards, can strengthen non-proliferation and energy security without enabling militarization.
Some argue regional disarmament must wait for Israel to disarm. But a regime that ignores international law—committing apartheid, genocide, and now mass starvation—won’t be swayed by pressure. Its dangerous nuclear arsenal remains the greatest threat to global non-proliferation and peace. Holding millions hostage to one regime’s unchecked nuclear power guarantees endless instability. We need a new approach.
Menara could also reshape the nuclear debate in the region. Too often, nuclear issues are framed only as threats. But nuclear science offers solutions—to climate change, water shortages, food security, and energy needs. As oil and gas reserves decline, nuclear energy will be crucial.Menara can drive regional growth and sustainability, turning this vision into a shared and secure reality. Here’s how it would work:
Menara would coordinate research, education, and development among member states, supporting joint projects in areas like uranium enrichment, waste management, nuclear fusion, and medicine. Members would share facilities, combine expertise, and ensure transparency through a joint regulatory board. Contributions would be based on each country’s capacity, but all members would benefit.
The network would be headquartered in one participating country, with branch offices and possibly shared enrichment facilities in others. Oversight would be handled by a board of governors made up of national representatives, with international observers from the UN, the Security Council, and the International Atomic Energy Agency invited to participate. Importantly, Menara would include strong safeguards to prevent materials from being diverted for military use.
Today, more than ever, we in the Middle East and North Africa recognize the urgent need to act—or face a grim future. Mistrust runs deep in our region. Iran has its grievances, and so do others. But history should not dictate our destiny.
We urge Middle Eastern and North African nations to endorse Menara and begin formal negotiations on its structure, mandate, and membership criteria. A regional summit—backed by the UN and supported by global powers—could set the foundation. This step would not only reduce the risk of nuclear conflict but also serve as a model for cooperation in a divided world.
The current situation is unsustainable. The threat of escalation and nuclear proliferation is no longer hypothetical—it’s dangerously close to reality. But there’s still time to choose a different path.
Menara can guide the Middle East toward a future where it is no longer a battleground for nuclear brinkmanship but a leader in peace, progress, and responsible energy. The time to act is now.
Javad Zarif is an associate professor of global studies at the University of Tehran. He served as Iran’s foreign minister and chief nuclear negotiator from 2013 to 2021. His co-author, Mohsen Baharvand, was Iran’s deputy foreign minister and ambassador to the UK.
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