Tajikistan joins Iran, 10 other countries in condemning attacks on safeguarded nuclear facilities

Tajikistan has joined Iran and 10 other countries in calling for a complete ban on attacks and threats against nuclear facilities under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards. The countries warned that such actions threaten nuclear safety and undermine the global nuclear non-proliferation system. According to Iran’s state news agency IRNA , the countries issued a joint statement on October 23 during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly’s First Committee.

The co-sponsoring countries are Russia, China, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Cuba, Eritrea, Nicaragua, Niger, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Zimbabwe. The statement reaffirmed the right of all states to develop and use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes without discrimination. The countries described attacks or threats against nuclear facilities as violations of the UN Charter, international law and the IAEA Statute. Citing relevant UN Security Council and IAEA resolutions, they warned that such actions could have serious consequences for nuclear safety and security and undermine confidence in the IAEA safeguards system and the broader global non-proliferation framework. The…