Iran Declares Peaceful Nuclear Energy an “Inalienable and Non-Negotiable Right”

TEHRAN (Iran News) Speaking on Monday at a high-level segment of the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, Gharibabadi outlined the principled positions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran and called for a renewed international commitment to effective multilateralism, genuine disarmament, and unconditional respect for international law.

In his address, Gharibabadi described the current international security climate as “complex and deeply concerning.” He pointed to the persistence of armed conflicts, ongoing occupations, and what he characterized as crimes committed in the West Asia region by the Government of Israel as among the most pressing threats to global peace and security.

He further warned that the erosion of the foundational principles of the United Nations Charter has compounded instability worldwide. According to the Iranian diplomat, the weakening of multilateralism and the expansion of unilateral approaches have revived a dangerous cycle of arms races, particularly in the nuclear domain.

“The continued reliance by certain states on nuclear weapons in their security doctrines stands in clear contradiction to their international obligations,” Gharibabadi said. “Such policies undermine both the moral and legal foundations of the global non-proliferation regime.”

Reiterating Iran’s longstanding position, Gharibabadi described nuclear weapons as the gravest threat to humanity and human civilization. He urged all nuclear-armed states to commit immediately to the complete, irreversible, and verifiable destruction of their nuclear arsenals.

He stressed that meaningful progress in non-proliferation can only be achieved through balanced, reciprocal, and legally binding commitments. In particular, he called on nuclear-weapon states to fulfill their obligations under Article VI of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), which requires signatories to pursue negotiations in good faith toward nuclear disarmament.

Gharibabadi also advocated for the commencement of negotiations on a comprehensive nuclear weapons convention that would provide binding security assurances to non-nuclear-weapon states.

In addition to nuclear disarmament, the Iranian official warned against the increasing militarization of outer space. He criticized attempts by certain countries to define space as a domain for military confrontation, calling such efforts a threat to the shared heritage of humanity.

“Outer space must be preserved exclusively for peaceful purposes,” he said, urging the international community to prevent its weaponization and ensure that space remains a domain for cooperation rather than conflict.

Gharibabadi described the NPT as the cornerstone of the global non-proliferation and disarmament architecture. He asserted that Iran has consistently honored its obligations under the treaty.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has always remained committed to its obligations under the NPT,” he stated. “Our right to benefit from peaceful nuclear energy is inherent, non-negotiable, and guaranteed within the framework of international law.”

He underscored that this right cannot be made conditional in negotiations nor subject to suspension or deprivation. According to Gharibabadi, peaceful nuclear technology is essential for Iran’s development and energy security.

The deputy foreign minister categorically rejected allegations that Iran’s nuclear program has military objectives. “The Islamic Republic of Iran neither possesses nuclear weapons, nor has it sought to acquire them, nor does it have any intention of doing so,” he said.

He emphasized that Iran’s nuclear program is entirely peaceful and guided not only by its legal commitments but also by its religious and ethical principles, which reject weapons of mass destruction.

Gharibabadi criticized what he described as double standards in the implementation of disarmament commitments, arguing that selective enforcement undermines trust and weakens the global non-proliferation regime.

Referring to recent diplomatic developments in Geneva, Gharibabadi suggested that a new opportunity has emerged for resolving disputes through dialogue.

“Any sustainable negotiation must be based on mutual respect, equal treatment, and the non-selective implementation of international rules,” he said.

At the same time, he reaffirmed Iran’s readiness to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. “While we have chosen the path of diplomacy, the Islamic Republic of Iran remains fully prepared to defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and its people,” he stated, adding that Iran would exercise its inherent right to self-defense under the UN Charter if necessary.

Gharibabadi also reiterated Iran’s long-standing initiative to establish a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction. He argued that achieving this objective requires universal adherence to the NPT and the placement of all nuclear facilities in the region under comprehensive safeguards.

He identified Israel’s alleged possession of weapons of mass destruction and what he described as repeated nuclear threats as major obstacles to realizing such a zone.

Concluding his remarks, Gharibabadi stressed that sustainable peace cannot be achieved through pressure or threats, but rather through dialogue, mutual respect, the rule of law, and genuine multilateralism.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran stands ready to cooperate with states to strengthen the international disarmament architecture and move toward a world free of nuclear weapons,” he declared.

His speech at the Conference on Disarmament signals Tehran’s continued effort to frame its nuclear activities within the bounds of international law while pressing nuclear-armed states to meet their disarmament obligations. As diplomatic efforts continue in Geneva, Iran has made clear that while it is open to dialogue, its claim to peaceful nuclear energy remains, in its view, beyond negotiation.