Statement by H.E. Mr. Ali BAHREINI before the Second Session of the OEWG on the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space in All its Aspects
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Statement
By
H.E. Mr. Ali BAHREINI
Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Geneva
Before
The Second Session of the Open-Ended Working Group on the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space in All Its Aspects
Geneva, 22 July 2025
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بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
The delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran is honored to participate in the Second Session of the Open-Ended Working Group on the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space in all its aspects and looks forward to contributing constructively to the deliberations.
We would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation to the Chair and the Office for Disarmament Affairs for their dedicated efforts in facilitating this crucial process. Furthermore, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to constructive engagement aimed at safeguarding the peaceful use of outer space for the benefit of all humankind.
Mr. Chair,
The Islamic Republic of Iran expresses profound concern regarding the utilization of space-based technologies and foreign-supported space infrastructure to achieve strategic superiority and conduct surveillance well beyond national borders. Such actions represent a significant advancement toward the weaponization of outer space and underscore the urgent necessity for a comprehensive, legally binding international instrument to prevent the placement of weapons in outer space and to prohibit its use for hostile purposes.
We strongly condemn the hostile and unlawful use of outer space technologies by the Israeli regime and its Western supporters during the twelve-day war of aggression against the political independence and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Throughout this period, the Israeli regime extensively employed advanced satellite-based reconnaissance, communication, and targeting systems to carry out acts of military aggression, including attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure.
The weaponization of space assets in support of such aggression not only exacerbates regional tensions but also constitutes a clear violation of international legal obligations, including the Outer Space Treaty, which unequivocally affirms the peaceful use of outer space for the benefit of all humankind. The deliberate integration of space-based capabilities into offensive military operations sets a deeply troubling precedent, undermining both international peace and security.
Furthermore, the regime’s use of space technology extended beyond intelligence gathering to direct military applications, including the coordination of precision-guided munitions and the deployment of drones and cyber capabilities deep into Iranian territory. The integration of satellite intelligence with advanced command-and-control systems enabled this regime to strike aggression against the Iranian nuclear and military facilities. This multi-domain warfare, combining land, air, space, and cyberspace, demonstrates a dangerous escalation in the weaponization of outer space.
The Islamic Republic of Iran reaffirms that outer space is the common heritage of humankind and must be preserved exclusively for peaceful purposes and the benefit of all nations, irrespective of their level of development. The exploration and use of outer space shall be carried out in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Charter and the relevant treaties governing outer space activities. The growing dependence of humanity on space-based technologies for socio-economic development, scientific progress, and international security underscores the urgent need to prevent their weaponization and an arms race in this domain.
We remain deeply concerned by ongoing efforts to develop and deploy weapons in outer space, as well as doctrines that envisage the use of force in, from, or against outer space objects. Such actions threaten international peace and security, undermine trust among states, and jeopardize the long-term sustainability of outer space activities.
Iran firmly believes that:
- Outer space must not become an arena for military confrontation or conflict.
- All states have an equal right to access, explore, and use outer space for peaceful purposes.
- The security of outer space can only be effectively ensured through legally binding, verifiable, and non-discriminatory multilateral agreements. While non-legally binding measures may play a complementary role by contributing to the reduction of misunderstandings and fostering transparency, they cannot serve as a substitute for the essential need to establish binding legal commitments. Only through enforceable multilateral instruments can the international community address the root causes of instability in outer space and safeguard its peaceful and sustainable use for all.
Mr. Chair,
Iran attaches great importance to the multilateral character of discussions on outer space and reaffirms that the Conference on Disarmament (CD), as the world’s single multilateral negotiating body, remains the most appropriate forum to negotiate legally binding instruments to prevent an arms race in outer space.
In this regard, we recall the long-standing proposal to negotiate a comprehensive, legally binding international agreement on the prevention of the placement of weapons in outer space, the threat or use of force against or from outer space, and the prohibition of the use of outer space for hostile purposes.
We continue to support the draft Treaty on the Prevention of the Placement of Weapons in Outer Space, the Threat or Use of Force against Outer Space Objects (PPWT), presented by China and the Russian Federation as an appropriate basis to build our common goal upon it. We also continue to be receptive to discussions regarding its content.
The Islamic Republic of Iran maintains that proposals for political commitments concerning Anti-Satellite (ASAT) systems risk fostering double standards, perpetuating monopolies, and reinforcing the strategic superiority of a limited number of states. Such outcomes are neither acceptable nor conducive to the principles of equity, transparency, and inclusivity in the peaceful uses of outer space.
Iran remains deeply concerned about the growing military doctrines that regard outer space as a warfighting domain. The pursuit of military dominance in outer space by certain States, notably the United States, represents a serious threat to international peace and the security of all nations, and risks transforming this shared domain—meant for peaceful cooperation—into a theatre of conflict and confrontation.
We categorically reject any attempts to legitimize the placement of weapons in outer space or to justify the use or threat of force in or from space under the guise of "national security" or so-called "defensive" measures, including systems such as the United States' “Golden Dome” missile defense program. Such doctrines are inherently destabilizing, undermine mutual trust among nations, and are fundamentally incompatible with the principles of the peaceful use of outer space as enshrined in international law.
We further caution against the misuse of dual-use technologies and the inherent risks posed by ambiguity in the interpretation of space activities. It is imperative that the principle of the non-weaponization of outer space be upheld in a clear and unequivocal manner, prohibiting not only the deployment, but also the development, testing, and any preparatory steps toward the placement of weapons in outer space.
Mr. Chair,
Any future framework for the prevention of an arms race in outer space must be inclusive, transparent, and equitable. It must guarantee the inalienable right of all States, particularly developing countries, to access and utilize outer space for peaceful purposes, including for economic, scientific, and technological development. The Islamic Republic of Iran supports enhanced international cooperation, including the sharing of scientific and technical information, capacity-building, and the transfer of space-related technologies for peaceful purposes. Such cooperation is essential to bridge the technological gap and promote the peaceful development of outer space for all.
We reiterate that no measure should impose additional restrictions or obligations on developing countries, nor should it create new categories of space actors that entrench existing disparities. Technological monopolies and discriminatory access to space capabilities must be addressed within the broader discourse on peaceful space cooperation.
The Islamic Republic of Iran calls for an approach that prioritizes the prohibition of the use or threat of force against space objects, the non-placement of weapons in outer space, and the prohibition of hostile acts from or against outer space assets. These elements must be reflected in any substantive outcome of the OEWG.
To this end, Iran proposes the following principles to guide the work of the OEWG and any future negotiations:
- The international community must urgently initiate negotiations on a legally binding international instrument on PAROS within the Conference on Disarmament.
- The placement of any weapons in outer space must be prohibited. This includes not only kinetic weapons but also other systems capable of causing damage or disruption to space objects. The use or threat of force against outer space assets must be unambiguously banned.
- All States have the right to access and use outer space exclusively for peaceful purposes, without discrimination. International cooperation and technology transfer should be promoted, especially for developing countries.
- Non-legally binding measures must complement, not replace, legally binding obligations. Verification mechanisms may be incorporated into any future treaty to ensure compliance and promote mutual trust.
- Outer space must not become an arena of conflict or domination. Its governance should reflect the principles of equity, inclusivity, and the sovereign equality of all States.
Mr. Chair,
The delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran asserts that the adopted indicative timetable for 2025-2028 indicates some progress compared to the initial draft.
Nonetheless, many delegations, including Iran, still harbor concerns and reservations, particularly regarding the comprehensive and precise reflection of the practical measures for the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space as outlined in General Assembly resolution 78/238.
Despite this fact, and in the spirit of advancing the mandate entrusted to this Working Group, the Islamic Republic of Iran chose to support the consensus reached, while maintaining its principled positions and legitimate concerns. Iran emphasizes the necessity of fulfilling the Group’s mandate to effectively address the escalating challenges posed by the arms race in outer space in all its dimensions, including the key elements of a legally binding instrument or instruments.
Ultimately, my delegation stands prepared to collaborate constructively with all Member States to ensure that outer space remains a domain characterized by cooperation, innovation, and peace, rather than becoming an arena of confrontation or weaponization.
We urge all States, particularly those endowed with advanced space capabilities, to demonstrate steadfast political will and to engage seriously and in good faith in negotiations toward the establishment of a comprehensive, legally binding instrument that effectively precludes an arms race in outer space in all its facets.
We remain convinced that only through genuine multilateralism, full respect for international law, and collective action can the international community successfully prevent the militarization of outer space and ensure its peaceful and sustainable use for the benefit of present and future generations.
Thank you, Chair.
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