بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم Statment By Mr. Nabi Azadi Representative of the Permanent Mission of  The Islamic Republic of Iran in Geneva Before The Conference on Disarmament On Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space, PAROS Geneva, 3 June 2021  (Virtual Meeting)   Thank you Mr. President, As this is the first time we take the floor under your presidency, my delegation would like to congratulate Cameron and you for the assumption of the presidency of the Conference on Disarmament. Rest assured of my delegation’s full support and cooperation. I would also like to thank you for holding thematic debates fully in accordance with the CD Agenda and Rules of Procedure.  My delegation associates itself with the G-21 statement on PAROS as delivered by Kenya in previous plenary meeting.  I appreciate the panelists for their presentations and contributions to our debate.   Mr. President,   The role of the outer space in the security, development and wellbeing of the mankind is vital. Iran position on the outer space has been consistent and clear. we believe that the outer space is the common heritage of all mankind and must be used, explored and utilized for peaceful purposes and for the benefit and in the interests of all countries, irrespective of their degree of economic or scientific development.  Furthermore, we strongly support the freedom of scientific investigation in outer space and facilitation and encouragement of international cooperation in such investigation as well as the legitimate right of all States to have access to outer space without any discrimination, on a basis of equality and in accordance with international law. All efforts should be done in order to secure the use of outer space solely for the purposes of the wellbeing and prosperity of all nations around the world. It is therefore, the common objective of the international community that, as envisaged in the Final Document of the SSOD-I, Para 80, to launch “appropriate international negotiations in order to prevent an arms race in outer space" which we believe is in the interest of all States.  Mr. President,  There are three grave threats to outer space: Weaponization, an Arms race and discriminatory approaches. Some country has adopted controversial space policies and some country has announced space as “the new war fighting domain” and conducted activities which have given momentum to those threats in infringement of the existing international law. The goal of space security should be to secure and sustain freedom in space for all. Seeking space hegemony is a misapprehended self-defeating route. It took several decades of Cold War Arms Race for nuclear powers to realize that a nuclear war cannot ever be won and should never be sought. We should not replicate the past with regard to the space. Mr. President,   Reducing space threats through norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviors might be an attractive political gesture but is a vague and unclear phrase which leads to a political blame game. This process will be trapped into political debates rather than achieving legal consensus and is a deviated path to prevent an arms race in outer space and it does not correspond to the basic adopted principles for the following reasons: Firstly, no one challenges “Responsible Behavior” in its literal sense. However, the way this prima facie noble concept has been framed does not serve the common interest and good of the majority of States. It implies that only some of the few space-faring powers behave responsibly and that no newcomer would possibly be privileged to act responsibly. In other words, it creates two Cast Systems in outer space geopolitics and blocks the way for new space-faring states. Secondly, most of the ongoing harmful developments in outer space are the results of trial and error activities of space powers. Previous irresponsible behaviors made outer space a congested area of debris. Therefore, the best and comprehensive interpretation of responsible behavior is when it covers past events. No irresponsible behavior in outer space should be neglected when it’s threatening heritage for other States. It will lead to a discriminatory process. Thirdly, the concept of Responsible Behavior might create new norms and subsequently make impediments before new emerging space powers. Fragility of technology transfer as well as making impediments before new emerging space powers by developed countries undermine the real principle of equality of States in outer space. Fourthly, developing countries lack the necessary capabilities to have any verification regime/technology for monitoring/verifying Responsible Behavior standards. Therefore, the developed countries activities won't be monitored. The flip side is vice versa. The developing countries will not accept any discriminatory regulations which restrict and hamper their pursuits in outer space. Mr. President, Distinguished Colleagues, Due to the legitimate concerns and the lack of applicable and adequate legally binding instruments to deter militarization of outer space, or prevent its weaponization; the Iambic Republic of Iran is not only deeply concerned over the increasing threat of weaponization of outer space but also reaffirms the importance and urgency of preventing an arms race in outer space and has consistently supported the start of negotiations on a comprehensive legally binding instrument on PAROS. In this regard, all States with major space capabilities have a special responsibility to contribute actively to the objective of the peaceful uses of outer space and of the prevention of an arms race in outer space.  Mr. President,  Any initiatives on PAROS should be multilateral, transparent, open, nondiscriminatory and comprehensive. The TCBMs can enhance mutual trust and avoid miscalculation. But due to their nature and limitations they cannot substitute for a legally binding treaty on PAROS. Since they are inadequate to face the requirement of the challenges at hand. That’s why Iran believes the Conference on Disarmament is the right place that should start negotiations on PAROS. The draft Treaty of the Prevention of the Placement of Weapons in Outer Space, the Threat or Use of Force Against Outer Space Objects”, PPWT, is a useful, positive and constructive basis for negotiation in this regard.  Iran is fully ready to engage in the possible ways to secure the use of outer space solely for the peaceful purposes and for the prevention of an arms race in outer space. We support the start of negotiation at the CD on the conclusion of a legally binding instrument in this regard. Many countries, including my own country, rely on space and a weapon-free space environment which is the prerequisite for their development.    I thank you Mr. President.