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Joint Statement on UN Security Council Resolution 2231 Transition Day
Official seal of the Department of State - Joint Statement

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. 

18 MINUTE READ
October 20, 2023

Joint Statement on UN Security Council Resolution 2231 Transition Day 

MEDIA NOTE 

OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON 

OCTOBER 18, 2023 

The text of the following statement was released by the United States and the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI)-endorsing States listed below. 

Begin text: 

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 

Argentina  

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 

San Marino 

Slovakia 

Slovenia 

Spain 

Sweden 

Ukraine 

United Kingdom 

United States 

End text.