Topic: 2025 – No First Use Policies and Nuclear Disarmament
Country: Iran
Delegate Name: Lydia Lawrenson
The Islamic Republic of Iran, as a representative of Islam, sees the malicious violence caused towards civilians through the usage of Nuclear weaponry as Haram (Forbidden). For this reason, Iran fully supports the universal adoption of No First Use policies and advocates for making nuclear disarmament a mandatory obligation for all of the United Nations. Iran also expresses deep concern toward those UN member nations that are signatories to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) that have failed to uphold their commitments by continuing to expand nuclear stockpiles. This is especially alarming given the additional development of nuclear weapons by four nations not recognized under the NPT framework. While Iran acknowledges that every sovereign nation has the fundamental right to self-defense and scientific advancement, Iran emphasizes that the continued accumulation of nuclear weapons goes far beyond any reasonable military necessity and instead fuels instability and distrust within the United Nations.
The delegation of Iran urges all nations currently in possession of nuclear weapons to take the necessary steps toward decommissioning their arsenals in alignment with the principles outlined in the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). By getting rid of these weapons safely, the international community can have genuine trust and demonstrate a shared commitment to preventing catastrophic warfare. However, Iran also acknowledges the reality that some nations may still seek to disrupt global peace and stability for their own self-interests. In such circumstances, Iran recognizes that discussions around policies such as First Use must remain on the table to deter those who threaten the safety of innocent civilians or who challenge decades of efforts toward disarmament. For lasting peace to take root, cooperation and accountability must come before military prioritizations.
Furthermore, the Islamic Republic of Iran emphasizes that, as stated in the NPT’s three pillars, every nation retains the right to pursue peaceful nuclear programs. This includes access to vital resources such as uranium, which, despite its association with nuclear weapons, serves critical purposes in fields such as medicine, scientific research, and the development of clean nuclear energy. Iran affirms that as long as other nations commit to halting further escalation in the obtaining of nuclear weapons, Iran will continue to ensure that its own nuclear policies and scientific institutions remain in compliance with international regulations. This includes adhering to the guidelines established by the NPT and other UN-approved agreements designed to minimize unnecessary global harm. Among these agreements is the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), originally created in 1991 and continually updated to reflect modern technological and military advancements between the United States and the Russian Federation. START and its successor, New START, display the value of bilateral cooperation in reducing global nuclear threats by restricting delivery systems, limiting warheads, and building verification mechanisms. These agreements serve as important examples of the type of diplomatic engagement necessary between nations whose nuclear relations remain unstable.
Iran calls upon the United Nations to strengthen and expand its regulatory framework by establishing clearer, more enforceable rules specifically directed at the nations that currently possess nuclear weapons. These regulations should include well-defined guidelines as well as concrete consequences, such as sanctions or harsher punishment if such rules are violated. Existing treaties should serve as the foundation for a more exact set of protections that reflect the seriousness of the devastation nuclear weapons can cause. Nations that wield such destructive power must recognize not only the immense responsibility they bear, but also the profound dangers inherent in maintaining these arsenals without regard for international law or humanitarian concerns. The Islamic Republic of Iran stands for a safer, more cooperative international community. Iran remains ready to work collaboratively with its close member states to transform this shared vision into a lasting future by implementing the no-first use policies.
https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/node/328996
https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/IF12106
https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2025/07/03/5-things-to-know-about-china-iran-security-cooperation/#:~:text=1.,2.
https://www.norwich.edu/topic/all-blog-posts/khameneis-nuclear-fatwa-religious-ruling-or-political-strategy#:~:text=Iranian%20Foreign%20Minister%20Abbas%20Araghchi,their%20implications%20within%20Islamic%20jurisprudence.
