Araghchi: US invites world to nuclear weapons race

TEHRAN, Sep. 27 (MNA) – Iran’s Foreign Deputy Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the world will no longer tolerate the lack of commitment to nuclear-armed countries, adding the US is inviting the world to a nuclear weapons race. Araqchi made the remarks on Tuesday while addressing the United Nations General Assembly on the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. While criticizing nuclear-armed countries for neglecting commitments to eliminating their nuclear weapons, Abbas Araghchi said “some measures were taken in the past to prevent nuclear race among some states, however, US recent act to ensure that its nuclear weapons arsenal is stronger than others, is a clear invitation to instigate a new round of nuclear arms races. He went on to add that nuclear-armed countries have been jeopardizing the Non-Proliferation Treaty by continued violations over the past almost 50 years. He also questioned nuclear-armed countries’ plans to upgrade their weapons; the move that marks the beginning of a new round of nuclear weapons modernization, he said. The deputy minister went on to say that such measures are worrisome and can increase tensions and threaten international security. The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, signed this year in the UN, demonstrates that other countries won’t accept prolongation of such operations, Araghchi noted. Araghchi added that JCPOA signifies a historic success for diplomacy and noted “as certified by eight IAEA reports, Iran has complied with its commitments within the past two years.” Referring to the international community's support for JCPOA, he called for the adherence of all signatories to their commitments to the nuclear deal.