Statement by the representative of the Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations

General Assembly

Agenda item 121: The United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy

22 June 2023-New York

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

Mr. President.

At the outset, please allow me to express my appreciation and sincere gratitude to you and the co-facilitators for all the efforts made in this process.

We align ourselves with the statement on behalf of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation delivered by H.E. permanent representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Mr. President, dear colleagues.

Fighting terrorism requires a strengthened will and determination and a genuine collective effort in the spirit of multilateralism. The United Nations as the utmost expression of multilateralism remains an unparalleled international setting for reinvigorating wills of nations to counter terrorism. The review of the global counterterrorism strategy has a particularly unique status in this regard as it rekindles the call for concerted action and cooperation to fight this heinous criminal phenomenon.

As a nation who has long been a victim of terrorism and at the same time a champion of fighting terrorism, we attach great importance to the reviews of the GCTS. The delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran actively and in good faith, has engaged in this process with a view to continuing its contribution to multilateralism in fighting terrorism. Our delegation manifested utmost flexibility. We duly provided other distinguished delegations with the rationale and bases of our proposals and our very intention has been to improve the ways and means of combating terrorism.

While many supported our proposals, certain delegations failed to even accept agreed languages without enlightening us of possible reasons for not considering those proposals. Regrettably, the similar approach was taken by the same delegations with respect to the proposals of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation. Among the very valuable and constructive proposal of the OIC, I would like to in particular refer to the languages proposed regarding the importance of an effective response to terrorist attacks against Muslims which emanate from the incitement to terrorism through deliberate desecration of Quran and mosques.

The very fact that this proposal was provided by more than fifty Member States is axiomatic and evinces that Muslims are unfortunately being victimized on a daily basis by racist and supremacist groups and that the hatred and the Islamophobic narratives propagated by such groups and individuals create a breeding fertile ground for terrorists to target Muslims. However, the OIC proposal addressing this issue was rejected without any concrete reason by some delegations in minority. It was very unfortunate that we, as an active Member of the OIC, during these negotiations witnessed the incitement to terrorism and violence against Muslims being justified or ignored by few.  

Mr. president.

We were willing to see the new review of the GCTS addressing in a more concrete manner the incitement to terrorism against Muslims and also the main issues and the very new developments as well as persistent and often deeply-rooted challenges that hinder efforts of Member States in fighting terrorism including lack of genuine cooperation on the part of the global internet governance system in countering terrorism, double standards and politicization of the fight against terrorism. But the intransigence of few, forestalled the many from reaching a balanced text and thus from efficiently advancing towards the common goal of a world free of terrorism. We will continue our engagement with delegations to ensure that our joint future steps are on the right path and is focused on issues of common concerns not those that would only be divisive, often repetitive and of no priority.

Nevertheless, despite our serious objections to the exclusion of many issues of priority for my delegation as well as for the OIC and in spite of the inclusion of certain new languages the benefit of which for counterterrorism is not known, we would like to once again demonstrate our commitment to a collective effort against terrorism by maintaining the consensus so that the United Nations as a whole utilizes this singular opportunity to reinforce will, determination and resolve of the international community to a genuine fight against terrorism.

Mr. President, Excellencies, distinguished colleagues,

The Islamic Republic of Iran has manifested its unwavering determination and strong commitment in the fight against terrorism by effectively assisting affected States in combating and dismantling terrorist groups in the region. The bravest of our people, for the noblest of causes of humanity and divinity, played a determining role and sacrificed their lives in fighting DAE’SH. In this respect, General Ghasem Soleimani effectively led the counterterrorism efforts in the region resulting in huge defeat of DAE’SH otherwise DAE’SH would have expanded their dominance of violence and terror beyond the region. I would like to seize this opportunity to commemorate the remarkable sacrifices of General Ghasem Soleimani and his companions in the fight against terrorism who were martyred in a terrorist attack in Baghdad airport while on an official mission in Iraq.

Mr. President.

We reaffirm that States shall desist and refrain from promulgating and applying Unilateral Coercive Measures, which are internationally wrongful acts that hinder international cooperation in countering terrorism. We condemn the systematic terrorist attacks against the Palestinian people which is grave violations of the fundamental human rights as well as the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter. We also condemn in the strongest possible terms all acts of terrorism, including those targeting scientists and government officials of the Member States as well as terrorist acts against and in sabotage of peaceful nuclear facilities.

Reaffirming that measures taken in fighting terrorism should be in conformity with the fundamental principles of international law and the principles set forth within the Charter of the United Nations, we would like to reiterate our commitment to fighting terrorism and underline the pivotal role of the UN General Assembly, with universal membership in addressing terrorism and in ensuring a balanced implementation of the GCTS.

It is understood that the implementation of the present resolution would be in accordance with national legislations, priorities, and contexts.

I thank you.