In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful
Statement by the Delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran
to the UNGA 75 First Committee
Thematic Discussion:
Regional Disarmament
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Mr. Chairman,
My delegation associates itself with the NAM statement delivered by Indonesia.
Mr. Chair,
As a party to all major treaties banning weapons of mass destruction, Iran continues to fulfill its respective obligations under such treaties. We also remain committed to the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East proposed by Iran in 1974.
It is unfortunate to see that the strategic region of the Middle East suffers from regional as well as extra-regional sources of insecurity.
At the regional level, besides the threats of foreign terrorist fighters, threats of U.S.-backed regimes in Israel and Saudi Arabia, both of which have invaded their neighbors and kept the peoples of Gaza and Yemen respectively under a brutal siege , endangering peace and security in the Middle East. Therefore, to ease this situation, military aids and arms export to these regimes must be stopped, and the inhumane blockades against Yemen and the Gaza Strip must be lifted.
The main extra-regional source of insecurity is undoubtedly the US’ illegal and illegitimate policies towards this region. In fact, its key regional objectives are to secure its military bases, to sell more deadly weaponry to the region, and to facilitate the Israeli regime’s aggression and occupation. While it feigns support some regional countries, recent incidents truly exhibit how its reckless regional policy causes insecurity and instability in the region.
The Middle East will become more secure only when U.S. troops withdraw from the region. Regional peace and stability can be guaranteed only by the countries in the region, not through U.S. intervention or its economic terrorism. The US’ aggressive policy in the Middle East has claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians. The U.S. has made wrong choices in our region and then has blamed others, particularly Iran.
The US’ role in creating and assisting terrorist groups and using them as a proxy against the independent countries of the region has resulted in grave catastrophes. We condemn the terrorist act carried out by the USA in assassinating Martyr General Soleimani, the champion of the fight against terrorism and violent extremism in the Middle East.
Like the U.S., Israel is a source of insecurity in the region. Israel, equipped with WMDs, works towards increasing hostilities and chaos among Middle Eastern countries. Since its inception, this regime has been constantly engaged in brutal and illegal occupation, brazen terrorism, military aggression, and committed countless international crimes. With the backing of the U.S. Israel is the main source and cause of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. It refuses to accede to any international instrument banning WMD and mocks the credibility of such instruments that form the components of international security architecture.
The main lesson of the recent developments in the Middle East is that security shall not be achieved with American weapons, and security cannot be purchased from foreign governments.
In conclusion, Mr. Chair, unless there is a collective effort to bring inclusive peace and security to the Middle East in general and the Persian Gulf sub-region in particular, we will be engulfed in turmoil. Iran is committed to fulfilling its responsibility in contributing to the preservation of peace and security in the Middle East.
Thank you, Mr. Chair!