Reply of the Delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran

to the statement by the Prime Minister of the Israeli Regime

at the General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly

New York, 27 September 2021

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

Mr. President,

I have taken the floor to respond to the baseless allegations made today by the Prime Minister of the Israeli regime.

Like his notorious predecessor, in his statement, he tried his best to disseminate as much disinformation and make as many unfounded allegations against my country as he could.

He played victim and desperately tried to portray the Israeli regime as innocent.  

It is not surprising at all. Deception has always been part of their agenda.

His mischievous objective is crystal clear: to cover up all expansionist and destabilizing policies and criminal practices of the Zionist regime in the region over the past seven decades.

Instead of such fabrications and accusations, he must have said that as the only occupying power in the region, it has waged over 15 wars, invaded not only all its neighbors without exception but even countries beyond the region, continued to occupy some territories, and committed all four core international crimes, not once but repeatedly and sometimes simultaneously. And this long dark record goes on and on.

He did not even refer once to the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people who continue to live for well over seven decades under occupation and brutal rule of the Israeli regime.

He did not also make any reference to unlawful and inhumane blockade it has imposed to the Gaza Strip, changing it to the world’s largest open-air prison.

He also deceptively tried to portray his regime as the only democracy in the region, without mentioning that its rulers have always been engaged in terrorist activities and some of them are well-known for being the butchers of innocent Palestinian civilians.

For example, only in its 11-day brutal and all-out war on Gaza in May 2021, Israeli forces killed 256 Palestinians, including 66 children and 40 women. This included 13 members of an extended family who were killed and buried in the rubble of their own home -- many of whom were children, one as young as six months. The best designation for the rulers of the Israeli regime is the child-killer terrorists.

He must have also explained that why it still continues confiscation and demolition of Palestinian homes, forced displacement of their inhabitants, and killing peaceful Palestinian protestors.

All policies and practices of this brutal regime have been and continue to be in flagrant violation of the basic principles of morality and humanity and rules of international law, particularly international humanitarian law.

This regime cannot deflect attention from its long-standing malign and destabilizing activities in the region by waging a widespread systematic Iranophobic campaign, like what he said regarding our peaceful nuclear program.

Possessing all types of weapons of mass destruction, as well as the most sophisticated conventional weapons, the Israeli regime continues to endanger peace and security in the region and beyond.

It also brazenly defies constant strong international calls to join international legally binding instruments banning weapons of mass destruction.

As such, it continues seriously hampering the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East – proposed by Iran in 1974.

Yet, it desperately attempts to portray Iran’s conventional weapon capabilities or its exclusively peaceful nuclear program, which is under the most robust verification of the International Atomic Energy Agency, as a challenge to regional stability.

This is but a hypocritical move to distract attention from the real danger posed to regional peace and security by this regime, particularly its nuclear-weapon arsenals and clandestine and unsafeguarded nuclear installations and activities.

Rejecting all principles governing this Organization, including this august Assembly, he used once again threatening language against my country in flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter.

He should have no illusion about our ability and determination to defend our security and interests. His regime must avoid any miscalculation and adventuristic move in the region. We have demonstrated that we do not hesitate to exercise our inherent right to defend ourselves against any threat and at any time.

My delegation categorically rejects all baseless allegations made by the Israeli regime against my country including our President.

Mr. President,

While I have the floor, I would like to respond to the unfounded claims made by the representative of the United Arab Emirates against the territorial integrity of my country over the Iranian islands of Abu Musa, Lesser Tunb and Greater Tunb.

The Islamic Republic of Iran reiterates its consistent and principled position that it does not recognize the existence of any such dispute between Iran and UAE.

The three islands have been an inseparable part of Iranian territory and, therefore, any claim to the contrary is categorically rejected.

Nonetheless, and to show its utmost respect for the principle of good neighborliness, Iran has always expressed its readiness to talk with the UAE bilaterally with a view to removing any misunderstanding that may exist on the part of the UAE over Abu Musa Island.

The representative of the United Arab Emirates should also be reminded that the term "Persian Gulf" has been the correct appelation for the body of water situated between the Arabian Peninsula and the Iranian plateau since 500 B.C., and will remain so forever.

I thank you, Mr. President.