Statement by H.E. Sanita Pavļuta-Deslandes, PR of Latvia to the United Nations at UN Security Council Briefing on Non-proliferation (1737 Sanctions Committee)

Statement by H.E. Sanita Pavļuta-Deslandes, PR of Latvia to the United Nations at UN Security Council Briefing on Non-proliferation (1737 Sanctions Committee)

New York, 12 March 2026

Thank you, Mr. President.

As we’re facing the on-going hostilities in the wider Middle East, Iran’s nuclear programme and non-compliance with its international obligations are at their very centre. And we express our regret that this is the first time we are discussing the 1737 Committee since the reimposition of Council sanctions on Iran in September of last year, despite the fact that we have been legally mandated to do so every 90 days. We also express our regret that an agreement was not reached on the 90-day report of the 1737 Committee.

The sanctions against Iran have been reimposed and remain in force. They reflect binding international law and all UN Member States, including the Members of the Security Council, are obliged to respect and implement them.

The sanctions were reimposed due to the continued and systematic failure of Iran to live up to its international obligations, most notably under the JCPoA and the NPT, including its non-negotiable legal obligations under the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement.

Let us be clear, the production of highly enriched uranium, up to 60 percent, as previously reported by IAEA inspectors, cannot be reconciled with any peaceful purpose. As long as Iran chooses to pursue its destabilizing nuclear programme, to refrain from granting unhindered access to IAEA inspectors to all relevant sites, and to not return to meaningful negotiations, the sanctions will remain in place.

As we have seen, the 1737 Committee has also been re-established and is exercising its mandate, despite the continued delay in the appointment of chairs of the Security Council’s subsidiary bodies for 2026.  This also is reflected in its continued work on the relevant exemption procedures.

Mr President,

It is deeply regrettable that some Council Members continue to dispute reality and legal facts. It is even more regrettable that in order to do so, the work of all UN Security Council subsidiary bodies is being paralyzed. This disruptive approach is the latest in a series of attempts to create a fictional parallel legal narrative, aimed at challenging the authority of this body and its decisions.

This is unacceptable and it undermines not only this committee and the Council, but also international legal principles more broadly.

Let me remind that Iran has supplied Russia with drones and missiles for Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, used to attack civilian targets, in violation of Council Resolution 2231. And we also condemn Iran’s unprovoked attacks with these same weapons against its neighbours and reiterate our solidarity with the states of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jordan and other affected countries. We call for an immediate cessation of these attacks and urgent de-escalation.

Mr President,

Finally, allow me to reaffirm our readiness to engage constructively in further work of the 1737 Sanctions Committee and express our hope that the subsidiary bodies will resume their full operation as soon as possible, and Latvia will also support all efforts to ensure that Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon. 

I thank you!