PRESS RELEASE : UN Security Council Resolution 2231 Transition Day: joint statement [October 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 October 2023.
The UK joins other Proliferation Security Initiative-endorsing states in committing to countering destabilising Iranian missile and drone-related activities.
Statement from the UK and other Proliferation Security Initiative-endorsing states:
The proliferation of WMD and their delivery systems continues to pose a significant threat to international security. In this environment, Iran’s missile program remains one of the greatest challenges to international nonproliferation efforts. Today, Iran holds the largest inventory of ballistic missiles in the Middle East, and its ballistic missile programs continue to pose a threat to countries across the region and beyond. In addition, Iran’s provision of missile and UAV technology to its partners and proxies endangers international stability and escalates regional tension.
On October 18, 2023, the restrictions set forth in UN Security Council resolution 2231 (2015) to constrain Iran’s ballistic missile program are slated to expire. Resolution 2231 (2015) was based on the assumption that Iran would take the necessary steps towards restoring confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of its nuclear program. This has not happened. In this context, it is imperative that all states continue to take steps to counter Iran’s destabilizing ballistic missile-related activities through ongoing counterproliferation cooperation.
We, the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI)-endorsing states listed below, will uphold the commitments enshrined in the PSI Statement of Interdiction Principles by continuing to counter destabilizing Iranian missile- and UAV-related activities, consistent with all other relevant national and international authorities and related commitments.
Specifically, with regard to Iran and consistent with the PSI principles, we affirm our commitment to take all necessary measures to prevent the supply, sale, or transfer of ballistic missile-related items, materials, equipment, goods, and technology, to protect peace and stability in the region and beyond including: (1) undertake effective measures to interdict the transfer to and from Iran of missile-related materials, including those related to UAVs; (2) adopt streamlined procedures for rapid exchange of relevant information concerning Iran’s proliferation activities; (3) review and work to strengthen our relevant national legal authorities to address Iranian missile- and UAV-related issues; and (4) take specific actions in support of interdiction efforts related to Iran’s missile and UAV programs.
We further reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that domestic processes are in place to undertake such efforts. We call on all countries to ensure they have sufficient domestic legal authorities and capabilities to address Iran’s missile program, and we stand united in our determination to address Iran’s destabilizing missile-related activities.
Signing states: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Belize, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Palau, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States.
