Statement by H.E Reza Najafi, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran, before the 65th Session of the Legal Subcommittee of COPUOS  Agenda item 4: General Exchange of Views  ( 15April 2026) Mr. Chairman, I would like to congratulate you on assuming the Chairmanship of this meeting and to align my delegation with the statement of the G77 and China. I would also like to present my national position as follows: Mr. Chairman, On 28 February 2026, the United States and the Israeli regime attacked my country in gross violation of international law and international humanitarian law. Their aggression targeted civilian infrastructure, including the Iranian Space Research Center, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), weather stations, and many other facilities. These attacks resulted in the martyrdom of thousands of innocent Iranians, including 168 schoolgirls in the city of Minab. Their attacks not only violate international humanitarian law but also contradict the mandate of COPUOS in pursuing the peaceful use of outer space. In this regard, the provision of military assistance to the aggressors by so-called commercial satellites demonstrates that outer space is no longer being used exclusively for peaceful purposes. These acts of aggression undermine the object and purpose of COPUOS, as well as the collective efforts of its members toward strengthening this Committee. The aggression by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran’s satellite ground facilities and civilian radio and television infrastructure constitutes a clear violation of the fundamental principle prohibiting the use of force under Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter. The targeted facilities are infrastructures whose functions are directly linked to civilians’ right of access to information and other non-military public services. Targeting them results in widespread disruption of civilian communications and leads to humanitarian consequences. These facilities serve as critical links between space and Earth and are used for civilian communications, public broadcasting, emergency services, and crisis management. Such attacks represent serious violations of international law, including binding rules of international humanitarian law, international space law, and the Constitution of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The aggression also constitutes a violation of Articles 1 and 2 of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, which emphasize the peaceful use of outer space “for the benefit and in the interests of all countries.” Targeting Earth stations and related infrastructure that maintain vital links with telecommunications satellites amounts to interference with the peaceful use of outer space. The aggressors’ actions in physically destroying these facilities and deliberately creating interference also violate the principle of “international cooperation and mutual assistance” set forth in Article 9 of the Treaty, which underscores the obligation to avoid harmful interference with the space activities of other states. We expect these attacks on civilian infrastructure to be condemned by the international community as clear violations of the principles governing the peaceful use of outer space. Furthermore, effective and binding mechanisms should be established and strengthened within the United Nations and relevant international bodies to protect facilities and stations related to civilian space infrastructure against military aggression. Mr. Chairman, The Legal Subcommittee is a fundamental pillar of COPUOS in advancing dialogue on international space law, clarifying the rights and responsibilities of nations, and fostering equitable access to outer space resources. It is through the collective agreement of member states, built on mutual understanding and respect for national interests, that we can progress toward a stable and predictable legal environment for space activities. In this vein, consensus forms the bedrock of our deliberations within the COPUOS framework. Consensus-driven decision-making not only strengthens our collective efforts but also ensures the legitimacy, applicability, and sustainability of COPUOS decisions. This approach prevents marginalization, reinforces multilateralism, and solidifies space law as a tool for fairness and stability rather than division or exclusion. My delegation underscores that space resource activities should advance global peace, technological equity, and fair access, while preventing monopolization and discriminatory practices that exacerbate inequalities. We commend the efforts of the Working Group and its Chair in developing a set of principles for space resource activities. My delegation fully supports this valuable effort and actively contributes to the Working Group discussions on drafting these principles. The current draft includes elements of consultation, coordination, and mutual assistance, and primarily addresses interactions among capable spacefaring nations. However, a more explicit emphasis on international cooperation as an independent principle would strengthen the framework by ensuring equitable access, knowledge-sharing, capacity-building, and technology transfer, particularly for developing countries. By integrating a dedicated principle on international cooperation, the framework would align more fully with the spirit of the Outer Space Treaty, reinforcing inclusivity and fostering broader participation in space exploration. For this purpose, Iran has submitted and presented its proposal on international cooperation as an independent principle at the informal session of the Working Group. We appreciate the support of developing countries and remain committed to engaging in constructive discussions with interested delegations toward a balanced draft on principles of space resource activities that addresses the concerns of all states. Mr. Chairman, In conclusion, my delegation takes note of the liquidity crisis within the United Nations and its impact on relevant bodies, in particular UNOOSA, and emphasizes the importance of the efforts of the Secretariat and Member States to address the challenges ahead. We support these efforts and stand ready to work on the proposals put forward to address this issue. However, such efforts and proposals must provide a sustainable solution without compromising the core mandate of COPUOS. Thank You Chair