Statement by

H.E. Mr.  Majid Takht Ravanchi

Ambassador and Permanent Representative

of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations

Before the United Nations Security Council

On “The situation in the Middle East: (Syria – Chemical)”

New York, 10 March 2022

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

Mr. President,

Politicizing the implementation of the CWC and exploiting the OPCW for politically driven national goals bring about major negative consequences for the Convention's authority and credibility as well as those of the Organization.

We renew our call for complete, effective, and non-discriminatory implementation of the Convention, as well as the preservation of the OPCW's authority.

Syria has complied with its obligations under the Convention and continues to cooperate with the OPCW, submitting its 98th report on operations linked to the destruction of chemical weapons and associated production sites on its territory on January 17, 2022.

In addition, Syria regularly provides information to the Technical Secretariat of the OPCW and the General Secretariat of the UN about the possession and use of chemical materials by some terrorist organizations, as well as the fabrication of chemical incidents in order to blame the Syrian Army for such heinous acts. Recently in Idlib governorate, members of the terrorist group "Al-Nusra Front engaged in the fabrication of a chemical incident.

Mr. President,

 Mindful of the disastrous and horrific repercussions of the systematic use of chemical weapons by Saddam, Iraq's ex-dictator during his aggression against our country, Iran reiterates its opposition to the use of chemical weapons by anyone, anywhere, at any time, and under any circumstances.

Only the complete destruction and elimination of all chemical weapons on a global scale, as well as the implementation of all essential measures to prevent their production, can ensure that chemical weapons are never used again.

We reiterate once again our call on the Security Council to utilize its meetings on Syria. Dedicating one monthly meeting of the Council to the repetition of positions and unfounded allegations against the Syrian government is not conducive to the Security Council's efficiency.

I thank you