(MENAFN) Iran has repeated its disagreement to nuclear weapons, labelling their existence as the biggest risk to civilization that has only deepened after the latest expansions in Europe.

Asadollah Eshragh Jahromi, Director General for the Worldwide Peace and Security at the Iranian Foreign Ministry, made the comments in an announcement on Sunday to the Tenth NPT Review Meeting in New York.

Eshragh Jahromi stated that “The Islamic Republic of Iran is of the firm belief that the continued existence of nuclear weapons poses the greatest threat to humanity that due to the recent developments in Europe, has even intensified. The outcome of this Conference should reflect our deep concern about any use or threat to use nuclear weapons and declare that any use of such weapons is a crime against humanity and a violation of international law.”

He also mentioned that “In 1996, the ICJ affirmed that nuclear-weapon States have an explicit obligation and special responsibility for achieving nuclear disarmament. To fulfill the mandate of this Committee, and to evaluate the implementation of article VI, it is necessary to examine whether the actions and policies of the nuclear-weapon States since 2010 have demonstrated a commitment to and compliance with the objective of article VI of the Treaty.”

The Iranian diplomat went further on, “Like many other States parties, Iran believes that the nuclear-weapon States have failed to take any effective measures for nuclear disarmament during the past twelve years. Since then, no negotiation has begun among nuclear-weapon States on effective measures relating to the reduction or elimination of their nuclear weapons. INF has been abrogated and rejected. The role of nuclear weapons in security policies has increased. A modernization program of nuclear weapons is advancing, and the stockpiles are growing. A new nuclear arms race has begun among nuclear-weapon States. The prospects of the use of nuclear weapons have increased. Most nuclear-weapon States continue to maintain the doctrine of the first use of nuclear weapons.”

MENAFN08082022000045014228ID1104662433