Statement by
H.E. Mr. Majid Takht Ravanchi
Ambassador and Permanent Representative
of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations
Before the First Committee of the United Nations General Assembly
on “disarmament and international security”
New York, 6 October 2021
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful.
Mr. Chair,
I extend my congratulations to you and the other bureau members for your election. My delegation associates itself with the statement made by Indonesia on behalf of the NAM. Full version of my statement will be submitted.
Mr. Chair,
In addition to chronic security threats that the world has been besieged with, a number of new threats are emerging. As such, the international security environment is subject to continuous deterioration. The year 2020 has proven to be a universe of unprecedented developments including increased military spending, arms competition, weaponization of artificial intelligence, cyberspace, and outer space.
Despite the existence of so-called strategic stability as proclaimed by certain powers, there exists, in fact, strategic rivalry which provides the oxygen needed for renovation and modernization of strategic arsenals in the possession of these powers.
Mr. Chair,
Nuclear weapons pose the most existential threat ever against humanity. We have already observed their devastative, inhuman and indiscriminate power after their use twice, and more than 2000 nuclear tests afterward. Since 1945, the nuclear disarmament, as called for by internationally legally binding instruments such as the NPT, has been pursued at the international level. However, the most important goal of the treaty as stipulated in its Art. VI is yet to be honored by the NWSs. And yet, an amount of $72.6 billion was wasted on nuclear weapons only last year and despite the entry into force of TPNW, the NWSs have continued to boost their nuclear arsenals. In this regard, the US 2022 budget request retains or even increases the budget for every nuclear weapons program proposed by the Trump Administration.
Furthermore. the extension of the New Start by the US and Russia will be futile, if it is not complemented by further tangible actions to destroy nuclear weapons.
In our region, the US stance and that of the Israeli regime on the Middle East free zone of nuclear weapons, initiated by Iran in 1974, have prevented the establishment of such a zone. The Israeli regime possesses all types of weapons of mass destruction and threatens to use them against the regional countries. This regime must be forced to join all related instruments, including the NPT, without any precondition while accepting the comprehensive safeguards of the IAEA.
Mr. Chair,
The use or threat of use of chemical weapons are alarming. Iran is against any WMDs and strongly supports upholding the authority as well as the full, effective and non-discriminatory implementation of BWC and CWC. We urge the U.S. as the only possessor of CWs to destroy its chemical arsenal and withdraw its reservation to the Geneva Protocol without any further delay.
The recent attempts by some member states to weaponize outer space and cyberspace have caused significant concern within the international community. We strongly support retaining both domains exclusively peaceful under the UN open, transparent and inclusive auspices based on consensus.
On JCPOA, the uncontested reality is that until now, Iran has adhered to the JCPOA terms while US and E3 have failed to meet their JCPOA obligations. Iran is committed to the full implementation of JCPOA provided that the other participants live up fully to their commitments and lift all unjust sanctions in a speedy and verifiable manner. Iran’s defensive missile capability is being pursued in line with our inherent rights and international commitments.
Finally, Iran will present a draft biennial resolution on the “follow up of nuclear disarmament obligations agreed to at the NPT Review Conferences”, and we hope that it will be adopted without a vote.
Thank you.