Statement by Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran before the High-Level Segment of the Conference on Disarmament

Geneva 25 February 2026

Statement

In Exercising the Right to Reply

By

Mr. Mohammad Hossein SAYYADNEJAD

Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Before

The High-Level Segment of the Conference on Disarmament (CD)

Geneva, 25 February 2026

 

In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

 

Thank you, Mr. President.

As the name of my country was mentioned by some delegations during this high-level segment, and as some unfounded and incorrect allegations were levelled against the Islamic Republic of Iran, our delegation wishes to exercise its right of reply to make the following points and clarifications.

With regard to the situation in Ukraine, we wish to reiterate that Iran has consistently underscored the imperative of full respect for international law and the Charter of the United Nations. It remains our principled position that the sovereignty, political independence, and territorial integrity of all States must be fully respected, and that international and regional disputes must be resolved exclusively through peaceful means and dialogue. This principled position remains unchanged.

Let us state once again, that Iran has not transferred any weapon or ammunition to the Russian Federation for use in the conflict in Ukraine. Iran’s military and defence cooperation with the Russian Federation is not directed against any third State and is conducted within the framework of the inherent rights and sovereign prerogatives of the two countries.

Ukraine should note that the continued repetition of accusations against my country does not contribute to resolving the situation. Certain narratives have been deliberately constructed by some States for specific political purposes. Misunderstandings can, and should be addressed through dialogue. Iran has repeatedly expressed its readiness to engage constructively in this regard; however, such engagement has regrettably not been reciprocated by Ukraine.

During this segment, references were also made to Iran’s peaceful nuclear programme, accompanied by calls for Iran to address concerns regarding its nuclear activities. These remarks were regrettably unbalanced and selective, as they overlooked the factual and legal context that has led to the present situation.

These remarks fell short in acknowledging that, in 2015, following years of intensive negotiations, a deal on Iran’s nuclear program, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was concluded and subsequently endorsed by United Nations Security Council resolution 2231. Nor was it recalled that the United States unilaterally withdrew from that agreement in violation of its commitments and proceeded to re-impose unlawful sanctions against Iran. European parties of the deal, including the United Kingdom and France, not only failed to fulfill their obligations under the deal, but in concert with the United States attempted for the restoration of sanctions against Iran. As it has been outlined in our multiple communications to the Security Council and the Secretary General of the United Nations, such a move lacks credibility and legal grounding and is null and void.

Furthermore, no reference was made to, nor condemnation expressed of, the unlawful attacks carried out by the Israeli regime and the United States against Iran’s safeguarded nuclear facilities—attacks that occurred while diplomatic engagement was ongoing. Equally concerning is the serious damage inflicted upon the integrity of the nuclear non-proliferation regime when a nuclear-weapon State and Depositary of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), acting in concert with a non-party to that Treaty, targets the safeguarded nuclear facilities of a State Party.

Mr. President, distinguished dignitaries,

The Islamic Republic of Iran reiterates, in the clearest possible terms, that it has never sought, and will never seek to acquire nuclear weapons. Iran’s nuclear programme is exclusively peaceful in nature and is conducted in accordance with its international obligations. This position is grounded not only in our treaty commitments, but also in our deeply rooted ethical and religious principles, which categorically reject weapons of mass destruction.

At the same time, Iran will not relinquish its inalienable right to develop and use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, including uranium enrichment, as explicitly recognized under Article IV of the NPT. Iran has borne significant political and economic costs in exercising this right and will not forgo it.

Allow me also to clarify the following: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) continues to have access to those nuclear facilities that were not attacked in June 2025, and inspections at those sites remain ongoing. With respect to the damaged nuclear facilities, it must be underscored that attacks against safeguarded nuclear installations are unprecedented and constitute a matter of serious concern. It should also be noted that, before the attacks committed by the United States and the Israeli Regime, possessing less than 3 percent of nuclear facilities, Iran was hosting around 22 percent of the IAEA’s inspections, which is unprecedented in its kind.

Access for inspection to damaged facilities entails particular technical and safety complexities, including the danger of radioactive materials and unexploded ordnance. Neither the IAEA Statute nor the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement contains provisions addressing inspection modalities in the event that safeguarded nuclear facilities are subjected to armed attack. Accordingly, inspection arrangements in such circumstances require a mutually agreed framework between Iran and the Agency. Discussions with the Agency are ongoing in order to establish such a framework and move forward in a constructive manner.

To conclude Mr. Chair,

Notwithstanding the experience from the United States’ withdrawal from the 2015 agreement and the targeting of our nuclear facilities during negotiations, Iran has once again chosen the path of diplomacy in order to address concerns regarding its peaceful nuclear activities. We remain committed to negotiations conducted on the basis of mutual respect and aimed at securing the legitimate interests of all parties. We will not abandon a negotiating process that is grounded in these principles.

At the same time, we are unequivocal in our rejection of threats and the language of coercion. Iran stands ready, within the framework of international law, to respond decisively to any threat against its sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interests, or its nationals.

We believe that a genuine opportunity exists to reach an agreement that addresses mutual concerns and serves shared interests. If diplomacy is afforded the priority it deserves, a balanced and sustainable agreement remains achievable.

Let us add that Iran’s position on the lack of commitment by the United Kingdom and France to their obligations under Article VI of the NPT and its Review Conferences final documents remains unchanged and we will continue to address this issue in the relevant agenda item and meetings of the Conference and other relevant fora.

Thank you.

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