TL;DR: Iran's UN envoy, Ali Bahreini, blasted nuclear-armed nations for beefing up their arsenals instead of disarming, calling it a threat to global peace. He highlighted the misuse of resources that could aid social and economic development. Iran also expressed readiness to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, urging the U.S. to rejoin and lift sanctions.
At a recent UN disarmament conference, Iran's ambassador, Ali Bahreini, didn't hold back. He called out nuclear-armed countries, especially those in NATO, for not sticking to their promises under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Instead of cutting down, these nations are modernizing and expanding their nuclear stockpiles. Bahreini pointed out that there are about 3,800 active nuclear warheads and roughly 12,000 in total worldwide. He emphasized that the resources spent on these weapons could be better used for social and economic development, benefiting everyone.
On another front, Iran's deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, announced that Iran is ready to jump back into talks to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). This deal, originally signed with major world powers, aimed to let Iran pursue a peaceful nuclear program under certain conditions, leading to the lifting of international sanctions. However, in 2018, the U.S. pulled out of the deal and slapped sanctions back on Iran. In response, Iran stepped back from some of its commitments and ramped up uranium enrichment.
Gharibabadi criticized Western countries for dodging talks and piling on more sanctions. He suggested that the best way forward is to start discussions on lifting these sanctions, calling it a "reasonable and correct approach." Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, also made it clear that Iran won't engage in direct talks with the U.S. until it re-enters the JCPOA.
With the recent U.S. elections bringing back former President Donald Trump, there's a renewed push to get the JCPOA back on track. Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), stressed the importance of sincere diplomatic efforts to resolve issues surrounding the JCPOA. He urged both Iran and the U.S. to settle their differences through dialogue, hoping the new Trump administration will take a more practical approach to negotiations.
During his previous term, Trump insisted that any JCPOA discussions should also cover Iran's regional and defense policies, not just its nuclear program. Iran has firmly rejected renegotiating the deal's terms, viewing such demands as violations of its sovereignty.
In a world where nuclear weapons pose a constant threat, Iran's call for disarmament and a return to diplomatic agreements highlights the need for global cooperation and a focus on peace over proliferation.
