Moratorium on nuclear tests must turn into legally binding obligation: Iran UN envoy

An Iranian envoy to the United Nations says unilateral promises by countries about stopping nuclear tests cannot replace the nuclear disarmament, unless they turn into legally binding obligations.

Iran's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Zahra Ershadi made the remarks on Wednesday while addressing a meeting of the UN General Assembly on the occasion of the International Day against Nuclear Tests.

"Pending the achievement of this goal [stopping nuclear tests], besides the implementation of these moratoriums by the NWSs (nuclear weapons states), consequently, should be replaced by a legally binding instrument to effectively prevent such tests," she said.

She stressed the importance of the immediate implementation of Article VI of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as a "meaningful" step toward ridding the world from any threat of nuclear weapons, reaffirming it as the sole responsibility of the NWSs.

"The international community must hold the NWSs responsible and accountable by implementing this legal obligation and refrain from any activity inconsistent with that obligation," she added.

The Iranian diplomat stressed the need to apply the approach to the Middle East "where the Israeli regime, as the sole possessor of all types of WMDs, poses the most serious threat to regional peace, security and stability."

Iran’s UN envoy slams Israel refusal to join NPT, urges nuclear-weapon-free zone in Middle East

A senior Iranian diplomat denounces Israel’s continued refusal to join the NPT, saying it is important to establish a Middle East region free of nuclear weapons.

She criticized lack of implementation of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) in the world 26 years after its signature.

Ershadi said the international community has been and continues to be adamant about ending nuclear tests, adding that achieving this noble goal relies on the political will of the nuclear weapon states.

She noted that Iran regrets the delay in halting nuclear tests and considers it a major reason for the failure of the 10th NPT review conference.

"Should these calls be effective, these ominous tests would not have been utilized for the production, proliferation and even use of nuclear weapons. After all, the world, including the NWSs, should have taken note of the devastating consequences of nuclear tests that are nearly identical to the actual use of nuclear weapons," the Iranian envoy said.

She highlighted the importance and necessity of "putting an end to all nuclear tests for not only the sake of humanity and its future generations but also mother Earth."

She said the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) was a "right step in the right direction" and the only guarantee against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons.

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