 
In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
“Praise be to God, the Lord of the universe
and Peace and Blessings be upon the Messenger
of God and his Family and Companions”
Madam President,
I take this opportunity to felicitate your
election to the presidency of the 73rd Session
of the
United Nations General Assembly.
We have assembled here today as the world
is suffering from the recklessness and disregard
of
some states for international values and institutions.
The message of our presence here is that the
preservation of interests and security in
the world in the least costly manner is solely
possible
through the cooperation of, and coordination
among, countries.
However, it is unfortunate that
we are witnessing rulers in the world who
think they can secure their interests better—or
at least
in the short-term ride public sentiments and
gain popular support—through the fomenting
of
extremist nationalism and racism, and though
xenophobic tendencies resembling a Nazi
disposition, as well as through the trampling
of global rules and undermining international
institutions; even through preposterous and
abnormal acts such as convening a high-level
meeting of the Security Council.
This illusion should be cast away, once and
for all, that one can aspire to securing more
peace
and security at the cost of denying others’
peace and security.
We should not allow the breathing
space for and growth of the line of thinking
that holds others to ransom through the artificial
creation of insecurity.
Along this tack, confronting multilateralism
is not a sign of strength;
rather it is a symptom of the weakness of
intellect—it betrays an inability in understanding
a
complex and interconnected world.
Under such circumstances, negligence or inefficacy
of international institutions can endanger
world peace.
Those seeking dominance and hegemony are enemies
of peace and the perpetrators
of war.
The government of the United States—at least
the current administration—seems determined
to
render all international institutions ineffectual.
This government, having withdrawn from a
multilateral agreement adopted by the Security
Council, in contravention of the rules and
norms
of international law, invites the Islamic
Republic of Iran to bilateral talks.
An administration that
is inviting Iran to engage in talks is not
ready to consult its own experts nor willing
to recognize
the requirements of a modern state, including
the paramount principle of continuity of state
responsibility, and hence openly violates
state obligations undertaken by its predecessor.
On what basis and criteria can we enter into
an agreement with an administration misbehaving
such as this?
Any talks should be within the framework and
in continuation of the JCPOA and
Security Council resolution 2231, and not
in a framework of breaching them and reverting
to the
past.
It is ironic that the US government does not
even conceal its plan for overthrowing the
same government it invites to talks!
Distinguished Colleagues,
The approach of the Islamic Republic of Iran
in the field of foreign policy has been based
on
multilateralism and compliance with the recognized
principles of international law.
Our respect
for the Non-Proliferation Treaty and the long
and difficult negotiations with the Group
of 5+1,
which led to the conclusion of the Joint Comprehensive
Plan of Action—the JCPOA—illustrates
a clear manifestation of this approach.
We are pleased that the international community
did not acquiesce to the US government’s
unilateral and illegal withdrawal from the
JCPOA and adopted a categorical position vis-à-vis
that decision.
The JCPOA is the outcome of more than a decade
of diplomatic efforts and a
period of intensive negotiations to resolve
an artificial crisis.
This document was unanimously
approved by Security Council resolution 2231
and codified into an international obligation.
According to this resolution, all countries
and international and regional organizations
were
called upon to support the implementation
of the JCPOA, and to refrain from any actions
that
undermine implementation of commitments under
the JCPOA.
Based on 12 consecutive reports of the International
Atomic Energy Agency – the IAEA – Iran
has thus far complied with all of its commitments.
However, the United States, from the very
beginning, never remained faithful to its
obligations.
Later, the current administration, resorting
to flimsy excuses and in open violation of
its commitments, finally withdrew from the
accord.
The United Nations should not allow its decisions
to fall victim to the domestic election and
propaganda games of some of its members and
should not allow any Member State to dodge
the
execution of its international commitments.
Additionally, the United States also pressures
other countries to violate the nuclear accord.
And
more dangerously, the United States is threatening
all countries and international organizations
with punishment if they comply with Security
Council resolution 2231.
It is the first time in the
history of the United Nations that such ‘a
general invitation to violation of law’
is coupled with
‘threatening law-abiders with punishment.’
This is not just peculiar to the JCPOA, but
a pattern
that even applies to the US approach to the
International Criminal Court.
We appreciate the efforts of the international
community, the European Union, Russia, and
China in supporting the implementation of
the JCPOA and consider the full realization
of the
commitments stipulated in it a precondition
for the survival of this significant accomplishment
of
diplomacy.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Unlawful unilateral sanctions in themselves
constitute a form of economic terrorism and
a breach
of the ‘Right to Development.’
The economic war that the United States has
initiated under the
rubric of new sanctions not only targets the
Iranian people but also entails harmful repercussions
for the people of other countries, and that
war has caused a disruption in the state of
global
trade.
The Iranian people have demonstrated their
unwavering resilience during the past forty
years
despite the difficulties and constraints caused
by sanctions and have shown that they can
overcome this difficult phase as well.
The multi-millennial history of our country
demonstrates
that Iran and Iranians have never broken in
the face of a storm of events—not even been
bowed.
I state here, in clear, unambiguous terms,
that the United States policy vis-à-vis the
Islamic
Republic of Iran has been wrong from the beginning,
and its approach of resisting the wishes of
the Iranian people as manifested in numerous
elections is doomed to failure.
Iran, with its
historical and civilizational longevity, rich
cultural heritage, and foremost geopolitical
position,
is an undeniable reality.
The policy of engagement and cooperation with
Iran has produced
positive outcomes for other nations, as best
reflected in Iran’s cooperation with friendly
countries
in the fight against terrorism.
The United States’ understanding of international
relations is authoritarian.
In its estimation,
might makes right.
Its understanding of power, not of legal and
legitimate authority, is reflected
in bullying and imposition.
No state and nation can be brought to the
negotiating table by force,
and if so, what follows is the accumulation
in the ‘grapes of wrath’ of those nations,
to be reaped
later by the oppressors.
We concur that, at the end of the day, there
is no better way but dialogue.
However, dialogue is
two-way: it should be based on equality, justice,
and human integrity and honor, and conducted
in accordance with the rules and norms of
international law.
UN Security Council resolution
2231 is not a ‘piece of paper’.
We invite you to return to that Council resolution.
We invite you
to come back to the negotiating table you
left.
If you dislike the JCPOA because it is the
legacy
of your domestic political rivals, then we
invite you to come back to the Security Council
resolution.
We invite you to remain in the international
institutions.
Do not engage in imposing
sanctions.
Sanctions and extremism are two sides of the
same coin: Extremism involves negating
the thinking of others, and sanctions negate
the life and prosperity of people.
For dialogue to take place, there is no need
for a photo opportunity.
The two sides can listen to
each other right here in this Assembly.
I am starting the dialogue right here, and
state—in
unequivocal terms—that the question of international
security is not a toy in American domestic
politics.
The United Nations is not a part of the United
States administration.
Dialogue can
resume in this Assembly from the same point
and by the same person who left the dialogue
table
and walked away from the accord.
Beginning the dialogue starts with ending
threats and unjust
sanctions that negate the principles of ethics
and international law.
Our proposal is clear: commitment for commitment;
violation for violation; threat for threat;
and
step for step, instead of talk for talk.
What Iran says is clear: no war, no sanctions,
no threats, no bullying; just acting according
to the
law and the fulfillment of obligations.
We support peace and democracy in the entire
Middle
East.
We consider nuclear knowledge an imperative
and nuclear weapons prohibited.
As victims of terrorism in the past and today,
we have always been and will always remain
in the
forefront of genuine confrontation with terrorism.
Today, we mourn the martyrdom of tens of
innocent people, who were recently murdered
in cold blood by terrorists who shamelessly
accepted responsibility from a number of Western
capitals for their heinous crime in interviews
with some Western-based broadcasting outfits
that are financed by petrodollars.
In Iran we have
condemned all acts of terrorism without equivocation
and will continue to do so.
We welcome
the strong statement from the Security Council
on this issue.
But why can the leaders of these
terrorist operations – including the organization
that has publicly claimed responsibility for
Saturday’s crime—live and operate freely
in Western countries, and even openly solicit
funds?
Are these activities not in violation of international
counter-terrorism norms?
Why have
the official State-financiers of anti-Iranian
terrorist organizations –with their record
of financing
Al-Qaeda, ISIS and al Nusrah—not only been
spared any punishment but are supported and
armed?
If you want the world public to take your
claim of fighting terrorism seriously, it
is
imperative to start a joint global campaign
to fight this scourge, irrespective of the
victims or
culprits.
Distinguished Colleagues,
In the same vein, from the very beginning
of the crisis in Syria, we have warned against
any
foreign intervention in the internal affairs
of this country and the use of unlawful means,
including supporting extremist and terrorist
groups in order to exert pressure on the government
of Syria, and have consistently emphasized
that the crisis can only be resolved through
intraSyrian
dialogue.
To this end, the presence of our military
advisors in Syria has been at the
request of the Syrian government and consistent
with international law and has aimed at assisting
the Syrian government in combatting extremist
terrorism.
Iran, Russia, and Turkey, in
cooperation with the government of Syria and
other Syrian parties, have succeeded through
the
Astana Process, the third summit meeting of
which took place in Tehran earlier this month,
in
playing a positive role in reducing tension
in Syria, and in their last common effort
have
prevented escalation and bloodshed in the
Idlib region.
We have witnessed a tragic humanitarian catastrophe
in Yemen over the past three years which
has caused the destruction of infrastructure,
the killing and injury of hundreds of thousands,
the
displacement of millions of innocent people,
and the occurrence of widespread famine and
chronic diseases.
These inhuman acts represent clear examples
of crimes against humanity and
war crimes.
The crisis in Yemen can be resolved solely
through intra-Yemeni talks and without
foreign interference.
And to this end, we are ready to assist in
any possible way.
The most pressing crisis in the Middle East,
however, is the question of Palestine.
The passage of
time cannot – and must not –justify occupation.
The innumerable crimes of Israel against the
Palestinians would not have been possible
without the material and military assistance,
and
political and propaganda support of the United
States.
Israel, equipped with a nuclear arsenal and
blatantly threatening others with nuclear
annihilation, presents the most daunting threat
to
regional and global peace and stability.
The abhorrent U.S. decision to transfer its
embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, and the recent
enactment of the racist Jewish State law are
violations of international law and norms,
and
unmistakable manifestations of apartheid.
Madam President,
The expansion of relations with neighbors
and the creation of a more secure and more
developed
region are among the main priorities of Iran’s
foreign policy.
A few weeks ago Iran, along with
the other four coastal states, signed the
Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian
Sea,
which will strengthen good-neighborliness
and bring prosperity and progress for all
of the
coastal states.
We also desire the same relations with our
southern neighbors in the Persian Gulf.
We believe in the formation of a collective
mechanism for the Persian Gulf region with
the
presence and participation of all regional
countries.
The security of the Persian Gulf and the
Strait of Hormuz has always been important
for us, and just as we defended this security
during
the war imposed on us by Iraq, we will confront
any and all disruptive efforts in this critical
waterway in the future.
We espouse a peaceful view in political and
international issues and have not sought,
nor do we
seek, war with any country.
Iran does not need an empire.
Iran is an empire in terms of its
civilization and its culture; not through
political domination.
Iran has served as the link between east and
west and will continue to do so; remaining
a
meticulous guardian for a world free from
violence.
The Islamic Republic of Iran is the same state
that understood the fascistic nature of the
Ba’athist
regime in Iraq before anyone else in the world,
and bravely resisted its aggression against
us.
We
fought against the Ba’ath Party of Iraq
before Kuwait was occupied by it.
The Islamic Republic of Iran is the same state
that was on the forefront of the struggle
against
Taliban terrorism, and gave up martyrs in
that struggle.
We fought against Al-Qaida and the
Taliban before the attacks on New York and
Washington.
The Islamic Republic of Iran is the same state
that fought against Daesh – a fake, distorted
representation of Islam.
We were engaged in the fight against Daesh
before their operations in
Paris, London and Brussels.
Appreciate these historical realities about
Iran.
Quit imposing sanctions and end extremism.
The
world will not have a better friend than Iran,
if peace is what you seek.
I thank you for your attention.
