Twelve countries say attacks on nuclear sites must never be normalized

Twelve countries have stated that nuclear facilities must never, under any circumstances, be subjected to attack or threat of attack, in a joint statement delivered at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly's First Committee on Friday. According to a Press TV report cited by Mehr News, the statement was issued by Belarus, Burkina Faso, China, Cuba, Eritrea, Iran, Nicaragua, Niger, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Zimbabwe, and addressed the prohibition of attacks and threats against nuclear sites dedicated to peaceful purposes.

The countries reaffirmed what they described as the inalienable right of all states to develop research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes without discrimination. They underscored that attacks or threats against nuclear facilities violate the principles of the UN Charter, international law and the IAEA Statute, adding that such actions are profoundly inconsistent with the objects and purposes of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

The statement also recalled UN Security Council Resolution 487 (1981), which strongly condemned a military attack against nuclear facilities, as well as relevant decisions and resolutions adopted by the IAEA General Conference. The signatories warned that attacks against nuclear facilities have grave implications for nuclear safety and nuclear security and pose a serious threat to the credibility and effectiveness of the IAEA safeguards system and the wider global non-proliferation framework.

They further cautioned that such attacks could undermine the peaceful use of nuclear energy and international cooperation, potentially triggering radioactive releases with severe consequences both inside and beyond the affected country. The joint statement was delivered amid ongoing international debate over military action against nuclear installations, including recent tensions involving Iran's nuclear program. The 12 countries did not name any specific state or incident in the portions of the statement reported.

According to Mehr News, citing Press TV, the statement was presented at the First Committee, the General Assembly body that deals with disarmament and international security matters. The report added that the signatories framed their position around the protection of peaceful nuclear facilities and the integrity of the international safeguards system.