Oct 15, 2021, 12:18 AM
News ID: 84504742
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Iran envoy: Zionist regime blocking arms-free middle east

Oct 15, 2021, 12:18 AM
News ID: 84504742
Iran envoy: Zionist regime blocking arms-free middle east

Tehran, IRNA - Iranian Representative at the First Committee of the UN General Assembly Heidar Ali Balouji blasted the Zionist regime for preventing the formation of a Middle East region free from nuclear weapons.

"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," Balouji, First Counselor of the Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the UN, said addressing the UNGA's 76 First Committee's Combined Thematic Discussions: Nuclear Weapons, Other WMDs, Outer Space, and Conventional Weapons.

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

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

He said that 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," Balouji added.

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

The Iranian envoy said that 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.

He asserted that 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," Balouji added.

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

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

He pointed out that 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," the Iranian envoy said.

Balouji also said that "we are deeply concerned about the increasing threat of weaponizing" outer space.

He recalled that the US has already established a Space Force and 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," Balouji added.

The envoy noted that 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," Balouji said.

He stated that 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," Balouji concluded.

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