Reply of the Delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran

To the Statements by Israeli Regime, UK and KSA

At the First Committee of the United Nations General Assembly 77

New York, 25 October 2022

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

Mr. Chair,

I am compelled to take the floor to renounce the allegations made by the representatives of the Israeli regime and the UK against my Country.

While categorically rejecting the unfounded accusations against my Country, I would like to underline that the dissemination of fake news and unfounded accusations against regional actors, including through the pursuit of widespread and systematic disinformation and Iranophobic campaigns, has long been a standard practice of the Israeli regime. The main objective of such attempts aims to whitewash the destabilizing policies and criminal practices of that regime in such a volatile region as the Middle East. Nevertheless, no amount of smear campaigns against others can distract attention away from the brutalities, crimes and lawlessness of the Israeli regime which include, but are not limited to, the waging of over 15 wars in the region in the past seven decades; the commission of acts of aggression against all of its neighbours, without exception; the invasion of other countries in the region and beyond; the continuation of its unlawful occupation of Palestine and parts of Syria and Lebanon; the imposition of an inhumane blockade on the Gaza Strip for over a decade; the unlawful construction and expansion of settlements; the construction of an illegal separation wall in pursuance of its racist policies; the violation of hundreds of resolutions of the United Nations, including a large number of binding resolutions of the Security Council, inter alia, resolutions 1559 (2004), 1701 (2006) and 2334 (2016); the assassination of several Iranian nuclear scientists; and the conduct of many other sabotage, subversive, divisive and destabilizing activities in the region, with far-reaching implications for international peace and security.

 Likewise, a brief look at the Israeli regime’s practices in the area of armaments indicates how destructive and destabilizing they are, which, inter alia, include the massive accumulation of the most sophisticated conventional weapons, the development and stockpiling of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction as well as clandestine nuclear activities in unsafeguarded nuclear facilities. The Israeli regime also refuses to join the international legally binding instruments banning weapons of mass destruction while hampering all international efforts aimed at the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East as proposed by Iran in 1974.

Recalling the continued threats by the Israeli regime against my Country, including the latest threat made by the Chief of General Staff of the Israeli Defense Forces wherein he stated "the operational plans against Iran’s nuclear program will continue to evolve and improve and operations to destroy Iranian capabilities will continue – in various arenas, and at any time", is a systematic and explicit threat by the Israeli regime against a founding member of the United Nations and constitutes flagrant violations of international law, particularly Article 2 (4) of the Charter of the United Nations.

 The fact that the Israeli regime has admitted that it will continue to destroy Iranian capabilities proves beyond any doubt that it has been responsible for the terrorist attacks against our peaceful nuclear program in the past. Therefore, the regime must be held accountable for the consequences of its unlawful measures

On another point, we implore the UK government to uphold its duty and legal responsibilities in relation to nuclear disarmament under article VI of the NPT. The indisputable fact, however, is that this country is in flagrant non-compliance not just by disobeying this responsibility, but also by strengthening its nuclear arsenal, participation in nuclear sharing, and signing together with the USA, the Aukus deal, all of which have seriously complicated its non-proliferation obligation. The UK has likewise fallen short of living up to its JCPOA obligations. When it comes to Iran's peaceful nuclear program, this country has no moral ground and not repeating those falsehoods.

Contrary to what the Saudi colleague claimed, Iran is upholding its commitments. We look forward Saudi Arabia to meet the long-lasting request of the IAEA by adopting a CSA as the previous SQP is not enough to ensure a safeguarded nuclear program by Saudi Arabia. If there is any real concern about regional security, Saudi Arabia should start by considering the implications of its policies and actions for the region.

I thank you, Mr. Chair.