Statement by H.E. Mr. Amir Saeid Iravani Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations Before the Eightieth United Nations General Assembly Agenda Item 118: The United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy New York, 1 July 2026 In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful   Madam President, The Islamic Republic of Iran, whose people have long been victims of foreign-backed terrorist groups, knows firsthand the perils and devastation that terrorism poses to the peace and well-being of people. On that basis, my country has played a determining role in defeating terrorist groups in the region, in particular, ISIS. Obviously, without the sacrifices of the bravest of our people, especially General Qassem Soleimani, who was at the forefront of counterterrorism in the region, ISIS would have expanded its scourge of terror and violence beyond the region. Although ISIS has lost its territorial control, the threat of its resurgence remains, as it continues to carry out terrorist attacks. Addressing terrorism requires tackling its root causes, including double standards and selectivity in counter-terrorism, as well as foreign intervention in the domestic affairs of States and unlawful use of force, which at times have rendered sovereign States fragile or failed and thus create a safe haven for terrorism. Madam President, In June 2025, as well as February 2026 onwards, the Israeli terrorist regime, in full collusion with the United States, initiated an unprovoked and premeditated aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran while deliberately attacking civilian populated areas, killing thousands of Iranian people, including women and children, leaving much more injured. The aggressors, through cowardly and barbaric terrorist attacks, deliberately targeted a civilian building in Tehran, leading to the martyrdom of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, along with his family members, including a grandchild as young as one year old. The aggressors also attacked other soft targets, such as a school in the city of Minab, killing 168 schoolchildren and teachers. Such heinous crimes, which also constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity, were committed by the aggressors concurrently with their active financing, supporting, and arming terrorist groups on the borders adjacent to Iran. The aggressors—in a blatant, unlawful act that is tantamount to an act of nuclear terrorism—targeted the Iranian peaceful nuclear facilities. Any responsible State stands on the right side of history by condemning these abhorrent examples of terrorism and atrocious crimes. Madam President, Distinguished Delegates, The Islamic Republic of Iran continues to strengthen its counter-terrorism efforts through both international cooperation and domestic measures. In July 2024, it co-hosted the AALCO Regional Conference on Preventing and Countering Terrorism in Tehran, bringing together member States and international organizations to advance regional cooperation. Domestically, Iran has amended its laws on countering terrorism financing and money laundering in line with appropriate standards and acceded to the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism in October 2025. Madam President, The politically motivated phenomenon of accusing official forces of sovereign States of terrorism in pursuit of political objectives is a flagrant violation of the fundamental principles of international law, in particular, sovereign equality and aims to undermine genuine counterterrorism efforts. We believe genuine adherence to international law and to obligations in fighting against terrorism requires rejection of such approaches that undermine the achievement of a world free from terrorism. To conclude, I wish to reiterate that we remain committed to our obligations to counter terrorism and to underline the role of the United Nations in promoting multilateralism in fighting this scourge, in accordance with the UN Charter. I thank you.