Escalating Tensions: Israel and US Airstrikes on Iran Nuclear Sites Jeopardize Global Security

In a significant address to the UN General Assembly, Amir Saeed Iravani emphasized the urgent need to address the threats posed to Iran’s peaceful nuclear sites. Speaking during a high-level plenary meeting on September 4, which was convened to commemorate the International Day Against Nuclear Tests, Iravani highlighted the blatant violations of international law by the US and the Israeli regime.

Below is the full text of Mr. Iravani’s statement:

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

Mr. President,

Allow me to begin by expressing my gratitude for convening this meeting. I would also like to join other delegations in commending Kazakhstan for its initiative in promoting the International Day against Nuclear Tests.

The International Day against Nuclear Tests was established to remind the world of the catastrophic consequences of nuclear testing for human health, the environment, and international peace and security. These consequences leave enduring legacies for both humanity and nature for generations to come.

As we honor the victims of past nuclear tests, we must also act to protect present and future generations from new forms of nuclear risk. Today, the dangers once associated with nuclear testing are re-emerging in another form, through deliberate attacks on safeguarded nuclear facilities. The dangers posed by nuclear tests are not confined to deliberate explosions alone; the threat or use of force against nuclear facilities entails equally grave risks.

The recent reckless attacks by the Israeli regime and the United States against Iran’s nuclear facilities highlight this urgent concern. These facilities, placed under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and devoted exclusively to peaceful purposes in accordance with Article IV of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), were deliberately targeted in blatant violation of international law, including the principles of the UN Charter. Such acts constitute a direct assault on the foundations of multilateralism and undermine confidence in the armament and non-proliferation frameworks, posing a grave threat to international peace and security.

Equally alarming are the attacks launched by the Israeli regime against Iranian cities hosting IMS Stations. These unlawful actions jeopardize the safety and integrity of IMS facilities, endanger the lives of their technical personnel, and strike at the very infrastructure that underpins the global verification regime. By undermining the broader objectives of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), they pose a serious obstacle to the advancement of the Treaty’s entry into force.

The international community must therefore unequivocally condemn these actions, demand accountability for those who violate international law, and strengthen legal protections for nuclear installations. This will help ensure that the inviolability of peaceful nuclear facilities becomes an unshakable norm, making it clear to the perpetrators that they cannot enjoy impunity for such grave violations.

The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) embodies the international community’s rejection of nuclear testing and acknowledges the catastrophic risks that nuclear explosions entail. Yet, it would be a clear hypocrisy and double standard to condemn nuclear testing while turning a blind eye to actions that carry similar consequences.

Moreover, these attacks strike at the very heart of the NPT, which rests on a delicate balance. Non-nuclear-weapon States agree never to pursue nuclear weapons in exchange for two fundamental guarantees:

• The right to develop peaceful nuclear energy without discrimination
• The commitment of nuclear-weapon States to pursue disarmament

By targeting safeguarded nuclear facilities, the perpetrators not only violate the inalienable rights of a sovereign State under Article IV but also undermine the credibility of the NPT and the trust that underpins the Treaty. If peaceful nuclear facilities can no longer be considered safe from threat or use of force, what meaning remains in the guarantees the Treaty promises?

Preserving the peaceful use of nuclear energy, protecting all nuclear facilities from threat or use of force, and advancing the total elimination of nuclear weapons are not separate objectives; they are interdependent and mutually reinforcing. By recommitting to these principles today, we affirm that the painful lessons of the past will not be forgotten. Humanity remains steadfast in its pursuit of a world free from nuclear weapons.

The victims of nuclear tests remind us of the high cost of indifference. To remain silent now, in the face of new threats that risk repeating history in another form, would be to betray their memory. On this day, we must stand resolutely against all nuclear dangers—whether through tests, threats, or attacks—and work tirelessly for a world in which nuclear energy serves only the advancement and dignity of humanity, never its destruction.

I thank you, Mr. President.

In conclusion, the message delivered by Amir Saeed Iravani resonates with the global call for peace and safety in the realm of nuclear energy. The necessity for international cooperation and adherence to legal frameworks is paramount in ensuring the protection of nuclear facilities and the promotion of peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The international community’s response to these pressing issues will determine the future of nuclear safety and security worldwide.