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:
Outer Space
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Mr. Chairman,
My delegation associates itself with the NAM statement delivered by Indonesia.
Mr. Chairman,
Iran believes that in order to cope with the threat of militarization of outer space, policy discussions and development of legal instruments specifically related to PAROS are especially and deeply necessary. While some years back the possibility of an arms race in outer space was just a potential risk, it has now become a real fact.
Since the beginning of the 21st century, the U.S. has attempted to dominate space for national military advantage and to control the access of all other countries to outer space. This inclination became visible through the US’ withdrawal in 2002 from the 1972 Treaty on the Limitation of Anti-Ballistic Missile Systems (ABM) which, as a treaty limitation, banned testing and deploying space-based weapons.
In the same vein, the U.S. introduced anti-satellite weapons in February 2008 and used a modified sea-based theater missile defense interceptor to destroy a satellite under unjustifiable and unverifiable claims.
In March 2018, the current US President directed the Department of Defense to trigger the process necessary towards the establishment of a space force as the sixth branch of the United States Armed forces. The US Senate Armed Services Committee approved this proposal in May 2019. The figures specified in the next FYs herald a dramatic increase in the number of personnel as well the budget of this new unit.
My delegation would like to note that despite all these attempts, the U.S. cannot and will not be able to dominate space. However, its destabilizing actions create insecurity in outer space that affects international security globally. The international community should not let the US decide who should use outer space.
Iran emphasizes that the 1967 Outer Space Treaty is not enough to make outer space a safer place simply because it does not cover other types of weapons and military activities.
Furthermore, with the stalemate in the CD and incapability of the UN COPUS to start negations on PAROS, the international community should find a way to overcome this inaction.
For us, outer space is the common heritage and province of all mankind. Iran strongly supports all international efforts and initiatives within the competent bodies of the United Nations, with the equal participation of all States openly and transparently based on consensus while taking duly into account the concerns and interests of all States for the prevention of militarization and weaponization of outer space. Accordingly, we support the substantive consideration of the prevention of an arms race in outer space in the Conference on Disarmament as the sole multilateral disarmament negotiating body.
Furthermore, we are of the view that setting certain and tangible measures to promote and facilitate international cooperation through the transfer of technical knowledge, technology, and the required equipment is necessary while transparency and confidence-building measures are complementary to each other.
Last but not least, we insist that the monopoly of a few countries or attempting to restrict the peaceful uses of outer space transfer of space-related science, expertise, technology, and services to developing countries should be rejected.
Thank you, Mr. Chair!