Statement by

Mr. Heidar Ali Balouji

First Counselor of the Permanent Mission

of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations

at the Closure of the Second Session of the Conference on the Establishment of a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction

New York, 3 December 2021

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

Mr. President,

At the outset, my delegation commends and appreciates your able leadership in steering this session of the Conference towards a successful conclusion. We would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to His Excellency Mr. Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, and Madam Nakamitsu, Under-Secretary-General for Disarmament Affairs, as well as their teams and all States of the region that are supporting, contributing to, and participating in the Conference.

 Mr. President,

Consistent with Iran’s deliberate option to reject all WMDs and as a party to all related treaties, namely, the NPT, BWC and CWC, our active and constructive participation in this Conference is a robust testimony to our genuine call for the total and final elimination of all WMDs at the earliest date. This, indeed, is a clear manifestation of the firm and everlasting commitment of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the cause of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, as well as the realization of a WMD-free zone in the Middle East.

Mr. President,

My delegation is also pleased to witness the adoption of several decisions during this session of the Conference, including the adoption of the Rules of Procedure and establishing a working committee for the inter-sessional process, that will support the effective and efficient procession of the Conference.

It is my honor to state that, in continuation of Iran’s constructive policy, we will support the process emanated from the NPT to the establishment of a Middle East Zone free of WMDs and will also continue to contribute to the subsequent sessions of this Conference until this goal is achieved. Meanwhile, we reiterate our fundamental position that the Conference's success will be in jeopardy as long as Israel refuses to participate while the US supports it and does not cooperate with the Conference. We call on the international community to assist the region in overcoming these obstacles and establishing the Middle East free of all types of weapons of mass destruction.

Iran is prepared to play its part and provide its best efforts to this cause.

I thank you, Mr. President.