Iran Press/ Europe: Speaking at the 55th session of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) Preliminary Commission, Kazem Gharibabadi referring to the announced approval of a $ 10 million budget by the US Senate Committee for nuclear tests, expressed grave concern over this issue and called on the United States to abide by its commitments in this area.
The Iranian ambassador and permanent representative to international organizations also referred to Saudi Arabia's situation regarding the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and criticized the country for not signing the treaty. He called on Saudi Arabia to sign the treaty as soon as possible.
Gharibabadi further emphasized the long-standing and principled stance of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the need for the complete elimination of all nuclear weapons, stating: "Iran supports the objectives of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) with the ultimate goal of disarmament as well as general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control."
He added: "Tehran believes that stopping all tests of nuclear weapons as well as ending the development and improvement of these weapons is the first necessary step towards nuclear disarmament." 219
