Stop politicizing the OPCW, instead take action against the Zionist regime

Iran's Deputy Minister for Legal and International Affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi, has emphasized the necessity of thwarting attempts to politicize the activities of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and called for international action against the Zionist regime for its use of prohibited weapons in conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon.

News ID: 85370

Date: 26 November 2024 - 12:23

TEHRAN (Defapress) - Iran's Deputy Minister for Legal and International Affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi made his remarks on Monday at the opening of the 29th Session of the Conference of the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CSP-29) in The Hague.

In his address, the Iranian diplomat articulated his nation's position regarding chemical weapons, highlighting the crimes and violations committed by the Zionist regime, as well as the support provided by Western nations for these actions against the regional populace.

He underscored that Iran has been the most significant victim of chemical weapons in modern history, vehemently denouncing the crimes perpetrated by the Zionist regime against the people of Palestine and Lebanon. "This regime, bolstered by the unwavering support of certain Western nations, particularly the United States, persists in its criminal activities and operates with impunity."

Gharibabadi urged the UN Security Council to take prompt action by implementing effective sanctions against the Zionist regime following Chapter VII of the UN Charter, emphasizing that all nations should refrain from any form of economic, military, or arms collaboration with this regime.

He also condemned the use of chemical weapons and other hazardous materials, such as white phosphorus and depleted uranium, by the Zionist regime against the vulnerable populations of Palestine and Lebanon. He called upon the head of the OPCW to initiate a thorough investigation into these allegations and to take necessary steps to safeguard the victims.

While appealing to member states to exert every effort to halt the Israeli offenses against the Palestinian and Lebanese peoples, Gharibabadi reiterated the dangers posed by the Israeli chemical weapons stockpile to both regional and global peace and security.

He emphasized the necessity of achieving the universality of the Chemical Weapons Convention and urged the international community to intensify pressure on the Zionist regime to accede to the convention and subject all its chemical facilities to OPCW oversight.

Gharibabadi characterized the allegations made by the United States against the Islamic Republic of Iran as unfounded, lacking documentation, and repetitive. He asserted that Tehran has consistently fulfilled its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention and has subjected all its relevant chemical facilities to oversight and inspection.

He condemned the United States for its fabricated claims against the primary victim of chemical weapon assaults in contemporary history, asserting that it is Washington, the largest possessor of chemical weapons, that stands as the principal violator of the convention.

The United States has a documented history of failing to comply with the convention. In 2003, following the invasion of Iraq under the guise of eliminating weapons of mass destruction, Washington and its allies, after a six-year delay, began the transfer and destruction of chemical weapons found in Iraq without notifying the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), as emphasized by the Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran.

He noted that the Islamic Republic of Iran has consistently informed member states about the violations of the convention perpetrated by the United States and its allies, including their support for the clandestine chemical weapons stockpile of the Zionist regime and other prohibited armaments.

Gharibabadi also expressed disappointment that the United States resorts to accusing other nations to distract public attention from the extensive use of American-made white phosphorus and other banned weapons by the Zionist regime against the populations of Gaza and Lebanon, as well as their repeated deployment by US-backed terrorist factions in Syria and Iraq.

In another part of his address, the Deputy Foreign Minister recalled the West's backing of the regime of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein during its conflict with the Islamic Republic of Iran.

He pointed out that Germany and the United States, as the primary suppliers of chemicals to Saddam's regime, were complicit in the chemical atrocities committed against the Iranian people, asserting that these nations must be held accountable for their unlawful actions.