Call for Immediate Ceasefire from Both the United States/Israel and Iran
Research Center for Nuclear Weapons Abolition, Nagasaki University (RECNA)
March 5, 2026
A stated primary purpose of the use of force by U.S.-Israel is nuclear non-proliferation. However, the use of force targeting the leadership, including Ayatollah Khamenei, under the pretext of nuclear non-proliferation and seeking regime change in Iran is not only being questioned regarding for its legitimacy under international law, but is also reported to be causing the expansion of war damage and resulting in numerous civilian casualties. Furthermore, the use of force by the nuclear superpower, the United States, and Israel, which is considered a nuclear-armed state, could intensify the suspicion among many nations that “if you don’t possess nuclear weapons, you will be attacked” rather than upholding nuclear non-proliferation. There is also concern that it could further strengthen the reliance on nuclear deterrence among existing nuclear-armed states. Indeed, France declared an increase its nuclear arsenal on March 2.
In May 2023, at the G7 Hiroshima Summit, the “G7 Hiroshima Vision on Nuclear Disarmament” was adopted. The participating leaders declared, “we reiterate our position that threats by Russia of nuclear weapon use, let alone any use of nuclear weapons by Russia, in the context of its aggression against Ukraine are inadmissible.” Similarly, in the escalating conflict in and around Iran, threats of nuclear weapons, let alone their use, must not be tolerated.
Even if the heightened nuclear risk is not immediately apparent, complacency is dangerous. The “nuclear taboo” emphasized by the Nobel Committee in awarding the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize to the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo) must continue to be upheld. All nuclear-armed states must rigorously adhere to this norm. This is a fundamental humanitarian principle on which the international community must never compromise on. As a research center for nuclear weapons abolition in an atomic bombed city, we strongly urge all relevant countries to uphold this principle.
From late April 2026, the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference will convene at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Though the effort may be challenging, this vital international conference is expected to find breakthroughs for improvement and resolution through “dialogue” on issues concerning nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. If military hostilities intensify and the front lines expand as they are, this conference gains the risk of becoming a venue of “confrontation” rather than “dialogue.”
To prevent further casualties from the ravages of armed conflicts and to allow the NPT Review Conference to become an opportunity to turn the situation around, the mutual military hostilities triggered by the use of force against Iran must cease immediately. Both sides should seek a breakthrough through “dialogue”.
The message “Make Nagasaki the last city to suffer atomic bombing” is not mere idealism. It is a sincere and powerful warning against the dangerous situation unfolding right now.
