New York:Iran, alongside 11 other nations, has issued a joint statement at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly First Committee, advocating for a complete ban on all forms of attack and threats against nuclear facilities safeguarded by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, the statement was co-sponsored by Iran along with Russia, China, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Cuba, Eritrea, Nicaragua, Niger, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Zimbabwe. It emphasized the inalienable and non-discriminatory right of all states to develop and use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

The joint statement described any attack or threat against nuclear facilities as a violation of the principles of the UN Charter, international law, and the IAEA Statute. Referring to relevant resolutions from the UN Security Council and the IAEA, the countries highlighted the severe consequences such attacks could have on nuclear safety and security, as well as the credibility of the IAEA safeguards and the global non-proliferation framework.

The statement underscored that nuclear facilities must never be subjected to attack or threat of attack. It warned that silence in response to such attacks undermines international norms and increases the risk of their normalization. The nations called for all UN member states to stand united in explicit and firm opposition to any attack or threat against nuclear facilities, to enhance nuclear safety and security and to support the peaceful use of nuclear energy.