Abbas Araghchi made the remarks while addressing the thirtieth session of the Conference of the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), held under the auspices of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), in The Hague, the Netherlands, on Tuesday.
“The Israeli regime has acceded to no disarmament treaty whatsoever, including the Chemical Weapons Convention, and remains the only obstacle to the establishment of an ME WMD-free zone.”
He further warned of the heightened risks posed by weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) under Israeli control.
“WMDs are always dangerous and inhuman, but when they are in the hands of wanted criminals who have been engaged in massacre and genocide for the past 2 years, constitute an existential threat to human civilization and to our planet,” he said. “The Israeli regime must be compelled to accede to the Convention and to submit to full-scope inspections, as a priority for OPCW.”
Araghchi praised the CWC as “the most successful disarmament treaty” but cautioned that its efficacy depends on universal compliance.
He criticized selective enforcement, stating, “Selective application or politically driven interpretations of the Convention’s provisions would undermine our shared objectives and erode the collective trust among States Parties.”
He highlighted ongoing compliance issues with the United States and other countries.
“That said, the cases of non-compliance and/or delays by the United States and certain other States must be duly addressed. They are grounded in the Organization’s official reports, the statements of former officials of those countries, and matters previously highlighted in earlier sessions. We underscore that full transparency and constructive cooperation with verification mechanisms are indispensable to preserving the credibility of this Convention.”
Araghchi detailed Iran’s formal complaints against instances of non-compliance or delays in fulfilling the Convention’s obligations by the United States.
“The US is continuing to develop non-lethal weapons and, according to its official sources, implementing various projects to weaponize psychoactive substances and synthetic opioid-based agents.”
‘US fostering force-based order’
Araghchi said the US-Israeli acts of aggression exemplify ‘militant unilateralism’ threatening global norms.
“We all can sense how badly today’s international relations face unprecedented distress due to ‘militant unilateralism’ disguised as ‘rules-based order.’ The United Nations and its underlying purposes and principles are under attack.”
“Even worse, such violations are systematically normalized. What is taking place in our region, i.e., the Israeli perpetual wars, aggressions, genocide, and colonial expansion, is the direct outcome of American support and certain European countries’ appeasement.”
He said the US contempt for international law has translated into a bold attempt to construct a “force-based international order” where resorting to naked military power in pursuit of its illegitimate interests is justified.
Araghchi said West Asia is highly familiar with lawless behavior as Israeli-American wars have kept the entire region in a state of “perpetual insecurity and massive bloodshed,” pointing to the genocide in Gaza and the regime’s attacks on Lebanon and Syria, among others
He specifically addressed Israel’s act of aggression against Iran, saying, “Israel’s unlawful armed attack against Iran last June, followed by American direct military intervention, showcased the prevalence of militancy and armed bullying over ‘rule of law.’”
Elaborating on the implications, Araghchi said the Israeli aggressions were not only a blatant attack on the tenets of the UN Charter and international law but also a huge blow to the NPT regime and the founding pillars of the CWC.
“They attacked not only our safeguarded nuclear facilities but also the installations and sites under the OPCW’s verification mandate, thereby triggering the risk of the release of chemical and radioactive materials – a danger that could have threatened human health and the environment well beyond Iran’s borders.”
Justice for Iranian victims of WMDs
In his address, Araghchi reiterated Iran’s demand for accountability regarding chemical weapons used during the Iran-Iraq War, which killed over 20,000 Iranian soldiers and medics and left tens of thousands more with long-term injuries.
“Those who provided the Saddam regime with the necessary materials and know-how to develop its military chemical program must be held to account. We urge those countries to be responsive to our constant call to undertake an independent and transparent investigation into their companies and nationals who were involved in procurement, development, and use of the former Iraqi regime’s chemical weapons program.”
Before his address, the Iranian minister held talks with the OPCW chief, Fernando Arias, in which he condemned Western sanctions that worsen the suffering of Iranian victims of chemical warfare.
The minister described the illegal sanctions against Iran, which have prevented chemical warfare veterans from accessing medical supplies and treatment, as a double injustice to the victims and their families.
He said these sanctions constitute crimes against humanity, and that the sanctioning parties and those implementing them must be held accountable.