Statement by

H.E. Mr. Majid Takht Ravanchi

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 – Political and Humanitarian)”

New York, 28 April 2021

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

Mr. President,

After 10 years of conflict, it has become crystal clear that the Syrian crisis has only one solution: a truly Syrian-led, Syrian-owned, UN-facilitated political process.

This indeed has been the raison d'être of formation of the Astana format which has promoted peaceful settlement of the crisis including through supporting the establishment of the Constitutional Committee.

To that end, regular and close consultations of our special envoy on Syria with Mr. Pedersen, United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, has continued. We will encourage the co-chairs to commence the Constitutional Committee’s next meeting soon.

The Committee’s work must continue according to its rules of procedure, without foreign interference or externally imposed timelines.

While political solution cannot be achieved in isolation or overnight, the Committee’s success must not be set as a precondition for assisting in reconstruction or return of refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

We express our concern over the recent reports on enhanced cooperation with terrorists by certain foreign forces in camps under their control, and call for further efforts to uproot all terrorists as well as the withdrawal of all uninvited foreign forces from Syria.

We also strongly reject abusing counterterrorism efforts to support any separatist tendencies or illegitimate self-rule initiatives or violation of Syrian sovereignty.

Iran strongly condemns the occupation of parts of Syria particularly by the U.S. as well as Israel’s acts of aggression against Syria, in the face of which the Syrian Government has a sovereign right to decide how and when to exercise its inherent right to individual or collective self-defense.

As the Secretary-General has recently stated, “Syria is the world’s largest refugee crisis.” This indeed cannot be overcome only through providing humanitarian assistance to refugees and IDPs as, in the long run, it is neither sustainable nor practicable.

Discouraging the return of refugees and IDPs – as certain countries do -- will only unnecessarily prolong their suffering, is counterproductive and thus unacceptable.

Instead, we applaud the approach of those countries which plan to take practical measures to expedite the return of refugees and IDPs. We stand ready to contribute to the success of such efforts.

Moreover, while provision of assistance and having access to those in need is a must, this, however important, cannot substitute for the ultimate solution, that is to ensure durable peace, security and stability in Syria.

For several months, the debate about the so-called “cross-line and cross-border access” has unfortunately further politicized the issues related to humanitarian aids and access.

Instead, such efforts must have been used for the removal of inhumane unilateral sanctions, which have devastating socioeconomic and humanitarian consequences, and mainly target the most vulnerable, who are already grappling with the adverse impacts of conflict and are suffering seriously from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Weaponizing food and medicine through sanctions is a flagrant violation of the purposes and principles of the United Nations. They are unjust and unacceptable and must therefore be removed immediately.

Likewise, uninvited foreign forces which are directly involved in systematic looting of the much-needed oil of the Syrian people must stop their shameful practice.

The international community has a legal and moral responsibility towards ensuring the unity, integrity and sovereignty of Syria and ending the sufferings of its people.

Finally, while supporting the ongoing dialogue within the Constitutional Committee, we note the announcement of the Syrian Government to hold, in accordance with the current Constitution of the country, the next Presidential election on 26 May 2021. 

Iran is committed to political resolution of this crisis and will continue assisting the people and Government of Syria to restore the unity and territorial integrity of their country.

I thank you, Mr. President.