Jun 25, 2020, 8:00 PM

Iran expresses concern about violation of CTBT by US, France

Iran expresses concern about violation of CTBT by US, France

TEHRAN, Jun. 25 (MNA) – Addressing the 54th session of the CTBTO Preparatory Commission in Vienna on Thursday, Iran’s permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna, Kazem Gharibabadi reiterated Iran's support for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons and expressed worry about violation of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) by the US and France.

He noted that conducting nuclear experiments put a big threat against the NPT. "France act of launching M51 SLBM (submarine-launched ballistic missile) on June 12 is aginst France's international commitments."

Gharibabadi also criticized the US withdrawal from international treaties such as the JCPOA and Treaty on Open Skies, naming the move in contrast with militarism principles as well as regional and global peace.

The envoy also expressed concern about conducting probable nuclear experiments by the US in the future.

He urged France and the US to stay committed to international disarmament treaties.

On June 21, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman expressed concern about France’s recent testing of a ballistic missile capable of carrying several nuclear warheads, saying it runs counter to French commitment to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

The French Navy’s launch of a new generation of intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of carrying several nuclear warheads (dubbed M51 missile) was totally in contravention of the spirit and the text of Article VI of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and of France’s commitment to nuclear disarmament, Seyed Abbas Mousavi said in a statement.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran’s government expresses concern about such measure, believes that the French government must not ignore its international commitments under the Article VI of the NPT and declaration of the NPT Review Conferences, and calls on Paris to fully honor its international commitments to nuclear disarmament,” Mousavi added.

He finally slammed nuclear weapons as a threat to international peace and security, noting that renovation and testing of such weapons would undermine the NPT as the cornerstone of the international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime.

The French Ministry of Armed Forces announced on June 12 the launch of an M51 SLBM from Le Téméraire, a Triomphant-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine.

HJ/FNA13990405000624/4958398

News ID 160186

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