Statement by

H.E. Mr. Amir Saeid Iravani

Ambassador and Permanent Representative

of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations

Before the United Nations Security Council

On “The situation in the Middle East: (Syria – Chemical)”

New York, 6 March 2023

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful.

Mr. President,

I congratulate Mozambique on assuming the presidency of the Security Council this month and I also commend Malta for its successful completion of the presidency in the month of February.

We welcome the presence of Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu, the UN high representative for disarmament affairs at today's briefing.

Mr. President,

As the main victim of chemical weapons, the Islamic Republic of Iran strongly condemns the use of chemical weapons by anyone, anywhere, and under any circumstances.

Like other weapons of mass destruction, the use of chemical weapons constitutes a crime against humanity and a flagrant breach of international law. This is the reason why our people will never forget how the Western countries supported the Saddam regime in the most systematic use of chemical weapons against Iranians.

Mr. President,

The Syrian Arab Republic has fulfilled its obligations under the Convention and continues to cooperate with the OPCW.

Furthermore, the Syrian government regularly submits monthly reports to the OPCW Director-General, with the most recent being submitted on 17 February 2023 detailing activities on its territory related to the destruction of chemical weapons and their production facilities. It has also received the reduced team of the Declaration Assessment Team (DAT) from January 7 to January 22, 2023.

However, we are deeply concerned about the exploitation and politicization of the Convention and the OPCW, which has caused division among member states and weakened the credibility and legitimacy of the disarmament machinery.

The IIT report of January 27th, like previous reports, was based on unauthorized sources and lacked required legal conclusions while disregarding observations from the Syrian government. These faults must be addressed responsibly to ensure the integrity of OPCW reports.

Mr. President,

We support constructive dialogue between Syria and the OPCW at the highest level, with a specific time frame to resolve outstanding issues and finally close the file.

The political approach towards the Syrian file has been a failed strategy, jeopardizing the process aimed at resolving outstanding issues. Additionally, applying double standards will only distract from the technical nature of the discussions at hand.  

Any investigation must be impartial, professional, credible, objective, and fully comply with the Convention's requirements and procedures.  

And finally, Mr. President, continuing to convene monthly meetings on the Syrian chemical file, despite no new developments, where some members repeat previous claims against the Syrian Arab Republic, is counterproductive that wastes UN resources and the Security Council's time.

I thank you, Mr. President