Statement by

Mr. Heidar Ali Balouji

First Counselor

Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations

At the First Committee, UNGA 76

On Combined Thematic Discussions: “Nuclear Weapons, Other WMDs, Outer Space, and Conventional Weapons”

New York, 13 October 2021

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

Mr. Chairman,

My delegation associates itself with the NAM statement delivered by Indonesia. We will submit separate statements on each cluster later on.

Mr. Chairman, 

Achieving global nuclear disarmament remains one of the most long-lasting goals of the United Nations. Today, international security is under threat by the existence of almost 14,000 nuclear weapons with well-funded, long-term plans to not only modernize but also strengthen the arsenals of NWSs and so nuclear arms race. 

Relying on nuclear deterrence persists as an element in the security policies of all NWSs, the latest as set out in the UK’s integrated review 2021. And yet, no nuclear disarmament negotiations are underway despite the clear legal obligation for these states under Article VI of the NPT.

Furthermore, the US withdrawal from the INF spelled an end to the commitment to eliminate an entire class of nuclear missiles. Similarly, its withdrawal from the JCPOA, and the unwillingness to return to it, have caused immense damages to international efforts towards nuclear disarmament.

In the same vein, the nuclear weapons of the Israeli regime are the main obstacle to establishing a nuclear-weapons-free zone in the Middle East. We reiterate our call on the international community to compel Israel to dismantle its nuclear arsenal, promptly accede to the NPT as a non-nuclear-weapon party without any preconditions and place all of its nuclear facilities under the IAEA’s full-scope safeguards. 

Mr. Chairman, 

Iran is among the countries with the highest record in accession to the international instruments banning WMD. 

Twenty-four years after the entry force of the CWC, the use or threat to use of chemical weapons is still a matter of grave concern to international community. In addition, the destruction of chemical weapons, as well as the universality of the CWC, are yet to be realized. The US as the only possessor of the chemical weapons has not only failed to meet the final extended deadline of April 2012 for the destruction of chemical weapons but has also sought to postpone the fulfillment of its obligations until 2023. We urge the US to utilize its full capacity to expedite the completion of the destruction of its chemical weapons stockpiles in the shortest amount of time before the scheduled timeline. 

On BWC, the most effective approach to its strengthening is through the resumption of the negotiations on a legally binding protocol for the Convention. As such, we call on the US to withdraw its objection to the resumption of such a negotiation.

The continued non-adherence of the Israeli regime to the BWC and CWC is a major obstacle to their universality while endangering regional security. 

Mr. Chair,

The prevention of an arms race in outer space (PAROS) can stop a severe threat to international peace and security. To this end, further measures, including a legally binding instrument with appropriate and effective verification provisions, shall be developed timely by the CD. 

We are deeply concerned about the increasing threat of weaponizing outer space. The US has already established a Space Force. Its budget for this year is more than $17 billion budget and will increase by 13% in the next year. 

We reject the illegal sanctions by the US against Iranian Space Agencies.

Mr. Chair,

Iran reaffirms the sovereign and inherent right of States to acquire, manufacture, export, import, and retain conventional arms under Article 51 of the UN Charter. However, in regions like the Middle East, overproduction, massive transfer, and excessive accumulation of these weapons have caused regional and international security concerns. Israel is the largest recipients of US arms aids in the region. Using these weapons, it is committing different crimes and causing destabilization and insecurity that must be stopped.  

Last not least, regrettably the outcome document of the BMS 7 contains provisions including the establishment of an open-ended expert group that is not consistent with the mandate of the BMS. 

I Thank You!