WANA (Nov 25) – Iran’s Foreign Minister stated that the OPCW was founded with a clear and explicit purpose—to prevent the recurrence of the horrors of weapons of mass destruction. He stressed that the Chemical Weapons Convention must continue its mission free from political interference, undue influence, or pressure, and reaffirmed that the Israeli regime remains the sole obstacle to establishing a WMD-free zone in the Middle East.

 

At the 30th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, outlined the views of the Islamic Republic of Iran as one of the victims of chemical weapons.

 

Below is the full text of his speech:

 

The Chemical Weapons Convention, as a remarkable legacy of collective wisdom and human conscience, was created to prevent the recurrence of the catastrophe of chemical weapons use.

 

We Iranians deeply feel the immense suffering caused by Saddam’s chemical attacks during the imposed war, which targeted both military personnel and civilians. Four decades later, our wounds remain open, and the devastating effects of these weapons are still visible on the faces of chemical-injured veterans and their families, who continue to endure severe pain and long-lasting trauma.

 

Accompanying me is Mr. Kamal Hosseinpour, the respected representative of Sardasht in the Iranian Parliament. For us—and for the world—the name Sardasht stands as a powerful symbol in the global campaign to ban chemical weapons and seek justice for victims. The people of Sardasht were among the thousands of Iranian civilians and fighters targeted by Saddam’s chemical attacks during the eight-year war. We honor the heroic people of Sardasht who lost their lives in that brutal assault, those who still suffer from its consequences, and their families.

 

Truth must prevail, and justice must be served. Heinous international crimes are never subject to a statute of limitations. The use of chemical weapons in armed conflict is a grave war crime that cannot be forgotten with time. Therefore, the Islamic Republic of Iran continues to insist on accountability and justice for Saddam’s use of chemical weapons against the Iranian people. Those who provided materials and technologies enabling Iraq’s former regime to develop its chemical weapons program must also be held accountable. We call on these countries—including Germany—to respond to our demand for an independent and transparent investigation into the companies and individuals involved in supplying, developing, or contributing to Iraq’s chemical weapons program.

 

We can all clearly see how today’s international relations are facing unprecedented crises due to the dominance of militant unilateralism disguised as a so-called “rules-based order.” The United Nations and its foundational principles have come under direct attack. Article 2(4) of the UN Charter—the primary safeguard for “saving succeeding generations from the scourge of war”—is repeatedly violated, and worse, such violations are increasingly normalized. What is unfolding in our region—endless wars, aggression, mass killings, and the colonial expansionism of the Israeli regime—is the direct result of U.S. support and the complacency of certain European countries.

 

The United States’ disregard for international law has manifested itself in an overt attempt to impose an international order based on force, where the use of naked military power is justified to advance illegitimate interests. The so-called “rules-based order” blatantly contradicts long-established principles that have prohibited the use of banned weapons, including chemical weapons, for decades. It is no surprise that the Israeli regime has used a wide range of prohibited weapons, including cluster munitions, in its attacks on Gaza and Lebanon.

 

No region has suffered more from lawlessness than ours. Israeli-American wars have trapped the Middle East in a constant cycle of insecurity and bloodshed. Over the past two years, an unmistakable genocide has been unfolding in occupied Palestine, with complete impunity for the Israeli regime. This regime has waged military attacks against seven countries and continues to occupy Palestinian, Syrian, and Lebanese territories.

 

The Israeli regime’s unlawful military attack on Iran last June, followed by the direct military intervention of the United States, demonstrated how militarism and coercion have overshadowed the rule of law.

 

This act of aggression not only constituted a blatant violation of the UN Charter and international law but also dealt a serious blow to the non-proliferation regime (NPT) and the foundations of the Chemical Weapons Convention.

 

The Israeli regime targeted not only Iran’s safeguarded nuclear facilities but also sites under the monitoring of the OPCW, endangering the possibility of chemical and radioactive leakage—risks that could have threatened human health and the environment far beyond Iran’s borders.

 

The U.S. President’s official admission on November 6, 2025, acknowledging his direct role in Israel’s military attack against Iran, stands as explicit evidence of U.S. responsibility for this unlawful act and its grave violation of Article 2(4) of the UN Charter. This complicity adds to the United States’ direct responsibility for the June 23 attack on Iran’s safeguarded nuclear facilities.

 

For the OPCW to function effectively, the fundamental principles of equality, impartiality, and non-discrimination must be upheld.

 

We must remember that the Chemical Weapons Convention was established with a clear purpose: the complete elimination of an entire category of weapons of mass destruction and the prevention of their future production. It was never intended as an instrument for advancing the political agendas of certain states.

 

The Organization’s credibility can only be preserved if it remains committed to its professional and apolitical mandate, free from geopolitical bias or influence. The OPCW must therefore carry out its technical duties without any undue pressure.

 

The Israeli regime has joined none of the major disarmament treaties—including the Chemical Weapons Convention—and remains the greatest obstacle to establishing a WMD-free zone in the Middle East.

 

Weapons of mass destruction are always dangerous and inhumane, but when such weapons are held by those who, over the past two years, have brazenly engaged in mass killing and genocide, they become an existential threat to human civilization and our planet. The Israeli regime must be compelled to join the Convention and accept full inspections—an issue that must be a top priority for the Organization.

 

The Chemical Weapons Convention is the most successful disarmament treaty in the world. However, its success will remain sustainable only if all states parties comply fully with its provisions, without exception and without double standards. Selective implementation or politicized interpretations undermine our shared objectives and erode mutual trust among states parties.

 

In this regard, the cases of non-compliance and delays by the United States and some other countries must be addressed in a principled manner. These issues have been reflected in the Organization’s official reports, statements by former officials, and discussions during previous sessions. We reiterate that full transparency and constructive cooperation with verification mechanisms are essential to maintaining the Convention’s credibility.

 

Iran has repeatedly and through official channels expressed concerns regarding the United States’ non-compliance and delays in fulfilling its obligations under the Convention. The U.S. continues to develop so-called non-lethal chemical weapons and, according to its own official sources, is pursuing projects to weaponize psychoactive substances and agents derived from synthetic opioids.

 

When a country with the world’s largest declared chemical weapons stockpile lags years behind schedule in destroying them; when it fails to provide full transparency regarding certain chemical activities; and when that same country assumes the role of accuser against others—such behavior not only contradicts the spirit of the Convention but also undermines global confidence in the Organization.

 

Unilateral and unlawful coercive measures, including sanctions, constitute blatant violations of international law. Despite 28 years since the Convention’s entry into force—and the obligation of states parties to facilitate the transfer of chemicals and equipment for peaceful purposes—illegal restrictions resulting from U.S. unilateral sanctions, and their implementation by European states, continue.

 

Even more distressing is that these sanctions have obstructed the access of Iran’s chemical-weapons victims to essential medicines and medical equipment.

 

All states have both a legal and moral obligation not to impede access to necessary medicines and medical supplies for victims of chemical weapons—particularly those countries whose companies and officials were involved in Saddam’s chemical weapons program.

 

In closing, I wish to express my deep appreciation to the Asia–Pacific Group for their trust in the Islamic Republic of Iran and for supporting my country’s election to the Executive Council for the 2026–2028 term, as formally confirmed by the Conference.

 

The delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran assures you, Mr. Chair, and all other delegations of its full cooperation and support in the fulfillment of your responsibilities.

Early Tuesday morning, the Foreign Minister arrived in The Hague to attend the 30th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention. Araghchi will present Iran’s positions on the items on the agenda in a formal speech during this international gathering. He will also meet and hold talks with the Dutch Foreign Minister.

 

This annual conference—known as the Conference of States Parties (CSP)—is one of the main pillars of the global legal framework for prohibiting chemical weapons. Held each year in The Hague, it serves as the highest decision-making body of the OPCW. Representatives of member states review progress in implementing the Convention, set next year’s policies and budget, and determine strategies for addressing emerging challenges. Such a conference provides a continuous and collective mechanism to preserve and strengthen the global norm against chemical weapons.