Statement by

H.E. Majid Takh Ravanchi

Ambassador and Permanent Representative

of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations

At the high-level plenary meeting of the United Nations General Assembly

on "the International Day against Nuclear Tests"

New York, 8 September 2021

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

Madam President,

We welcome you holding of this General Assembly meeting. We commend Kazakhstan for taking the initiative to promote the International Day against Nuclear Tests.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the signature of the CTBT, demonstrating the strong-willed determination of the international community to put an end to nuclear tests.

These sinister tests have been used as preliminary steps towards the production, proliferation and even use of nuclear weapons. The devastating consequences of nuclear tests reverberate across generations, with a widespread and profound impacts on not only the people but also our planet. Since 1945, about 2,000 tests have been carried out, 1,054 of which by the US. These test prove the fact that we need to take meaningful measures towards nuclear disarmament as stipulated in Article VI of the NPT. 

The international community must therefore continue to urge the NWSs to implement their legal obligations and refrain from any activity inconsistent with those obligations. Furthermore, the illegitimate possession of WMDs, including nuclear weapons by the Israeli regime and its blatant threats to use them must not be tolerated by the international community.

Madam. President,

In commemoration of the International Day against Nuclear Tests, NWSs should be mainly addressed as they possess the actual capability to conduct such tests. The world continues to face the ever-increasing threat of nuclear weapons and the NWSs have a special responsibility in this regard.

Given the bitter experience of the past, it is our conviction that nuclear disarmament is and must remain a top priority for the international community. The very survival of humankind depends on our unwavering concurrence that nuclear weapons should never be deployed and, furthermore, permanently destroyed. Therefore, we highlight that the moratoria to stop nuclear tests does not substitute a legally binding obligation.

We do welcome the entry into force of the TPNW and a number of other positive developments promoting nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament.

As enshrined in resolution 64/35, we share the vision that nuclear disarmament and the total elimination of nuclear weapons are the only guarantees against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons. Let’s seize any opportunity to further promote this lofty goal.

Thank You!