Israel’s nuclear arsenal main obstacle to nuclear-weapon-free Middle East: Gharibabadi
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi, has emphasized the necessity of complete disarmament and the non-discriminatory implementation of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), adding that Israel’s nuclear arsenal is the primary obstacle to establishing a Middle East free of nuclear weapons.
Speaking at the high-level segment of the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, Switzerland, on Monday, Gharibabadi highlighted the principled positions of the Islamic Republic of Iran, stressing the need for the international community to return to effective multilateralism, achieve genuine disarmament, and ensure unconditional respect for international law.
Addressing the complex and concerning international security situation, he pointed out that the ongoing armed conflicts, persistent occupation, and crimes committed by the Israeli regime in the West Asia region, along with the erosion of the fundamental principles of the UN Charter, pose serious challenges to global peace and security.
The deputy foreign minister emphasized that nuclear weapons pose the greatest threat to humanity and civilization, noting that the ongoing reliance of some countries on these weapons within their security doctrines stands in stark contrast to their international obligations and undermines the ethical and legal foundations of the non-proliferation regime.