Iran Calls on All States to Join CWC

Iran called on all the world states, specially those in the Middle-East region, to join the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) to further improve regional security.

“Given the fact that after Syria’s accession to the CWC, a few number of states, including the Zionist regime, are the only cases in the Middle-East region which have not joined the Convention, therefore, the Islamic Republic of Iran has proposed that those countries which have not joined the Convention, approve it as soon as possible,” Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marziyeh Afkham said on Wednesday.

“This is a move in the direction of the security of the region and the international system,” he added.

In relevant remarks in September, Iran welcomed Syria’s decision to join the CWC, and said the move should be followed by disarming Israel of all its Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs).

“The Zionist regime (Israel) is still armed with chemical and nuclear weapons, and the action taken by the Syrian government should leave no pretexts for the Zionist regime, and Israel should accept to get disarmed,” Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said at the time.

Zarif, who is currently in New York to participate in the UN’s 68th General Assembly meeting, welcomed Syria’s decision to join the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), expressing pleasure that the move has initiated a step toward ridding the region of WMDs.

He also emphasized that the Syrian decision was a positive accomplishment that averted war, adding that efforts should be made to set the stage for peace in the Arab country.

Iran has information showing that foreign-backed Takfiri and extremist groups in Syria are in possession of chemical weapons, and they must be disarmed as well, said the top Iranian diplomat.