ALWAGHT- The Iranian foreign minister stated that the Israeli regime's weapons of mass destruction, including its nuclear arsenal, pose a serious threat to both regional and global peace and security while hindering efforts to establish a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East.
On February 24, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi addressed the High-Level Segment of the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, emphasizing the increasing threats posed by armed conflicts, military interventions, and the proliferation of nuclear weapons. He called attention to the alarming rise in global military spending, with nuclear weapon stockpiles still significant, highlighting the persistent risks of nuclear war. Araghchi condemned the Israeli regime's actions, particularly in Palestine, accusing it of committing war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity. He stressed that such atrocities must not go unpunished and expressed concern over the lack of progress on disarmament agreements, especially in relation to nuclear weapons.
Araghchi strongly criticized unilateralism, which he argued undermines international peace and security, urging a return to cooperative multilateralism as enshrined by the United Nations. He also pointed to the erosion of nuclear arms control agreements, especially with the US and other nuclear-weapon states increasing their nuclear weapons budgets. While acknowledging the significant global threat of nuclear weapons, he called for their complete elimination and for nuclear-weapon states to fulfill their disarmament obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). He further condemned Israel’s nuclear weapons and its role in obstructing efforts to create a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East, particularly emphasizing the threat Israel’s nuclear arsenal poses to both regional and global peace.
Araghchi also highlighted the growing dangers posed by chemical, biological weapons, and new technologies, including cyber warfare and the weaponization of outer space, stressing the need for legally binding frameworks to ensure their peaceful use. In closing, he reiterated Iran’s commitment to international non-proliferation efforts and expressed hope for the continued success of the Conference on Disarmament in fostering global peace and security. He called on the international community to unite in efforts toward a safer world and affirmed Iran's readiness to play a constructive role in achieving these goals for future generations.
