Israeli WMDs Threaten Regional Security: Iran UN Envoy

First Counselor of the Permanent Mission of Iran to the United Nations Heidar Ali Balouji read a statement at a meeting of the UN General Assembly’s First Committee about conventional weapons on October 24.

The diplomat reiterated Iran’s readiness to play the utmost possible constructive role in strengthening international peace and security.

The following is the text of his statement:

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

Mr. Chairman,

My delegation associates itself with the NAM statement delivered by Indonesia.

Mr. Chairman,

The UN Charter, in general, and its Article 51, in particular, have enshrined the sovereign and inherent right of States to acquire, manufacture, export, import and retain conventional arms for their self-defense and security needs. Any arrangement for the regulation of conventional armaments should conform to the purposes and principles of the Charter.

We have noted that the existing relevant global processes, like the UN Program of Action and the ITI, both concerning Small Arms and Light Weapons and their biennial meeting, namely the BMS 8, adopted its outcome document by consensus. This is a remarkable achievement in the disarmament fora witnessed by divergent views, observations, and even some reservations. In the spirit of preserving consensus, it is important to take into account and accommodate all those views.

We emphasize the importance of the full, effective and indiscriminate implementation of the commitments emanating from the PoA and the ITI. In this context, fostering international cooperation through capacity building, technical assistance, financial support,  and technology transfer are essential to realize the goal of those instruments.

We welcome the establishment of a standing fellowship program for developing countries and hope that in addition to the required role of the developed countries in international cooperation, this will contribute to better implementation of the said-documents.

We have witnessed the ongoing deliberations of another initiative, namely, the OEWG on conventional ammunition that has started its work aiming at developing a cooperative framework for the through-life management of ammunition. We hope that this process will elaborate a consensual outcome accommodating the concerns of the entire membership.

I would like to emphasize that most of our observations on SALW, including the voluntary and non-binding nature of the recommendations; respecting the mandate; the sovereign prerogative of Member States to decide, oversee and manage the safety and security of conventional ammunitions; transparent, inclusive, and consensual decision-making; and avoiding controversial issues also apply to this new process.

In practical terms, the overproduction, massive transfer, and excessive accumulation of SALW in certain regions have caused actual concerns in terms of regional and international security. In 2021, the world’s military expenditure surpassed previous records, by reaching for the first time, to an amount of $ 2,113 billion. Global spending in 2021 was 0.7 percent higher than in 2020 and 12 percent higher than in 2012.

The United States, accounting for 38 percent of world military spending in 2021, remained by far the first largest spender. US military spending totaled $801 billion in 2021.

Bearing these facts in mind, it is imperative to reduce global military expenditure, observe responsible production as well as the transfer of conventional weapons.

The Middle East region is a worsening example of the problem. Last year, Israel with 5.2 percent of its GDP spent $24.3 billion and is among the top five military spenders in the Middle East. The US is still the biggest arms seller in the region.

In addition to its WMDs, the large arsenal of sophisticated offensive conventional weapons of the Israeli regime continues to threaten the peace and security of the region and beyond. This regime is the largest cumulative recipient of U.S. foreign assistance since World War II.

Mr. Chair,

In conclusion, Iran reiterates its readiness to play the utmost possible constructive role in strengthening international peace and security.

I thank you, Mr. Chair.