Global Security Newswire

The top U.S. envoy to the Conference on Disarmament will not be in attendance while Iran leads the international body beginning later this month, the Associated Press reported on Monday.

It is "unfortunate and highly inappropriate" that Iran lead the Geneva, Switzerland-based disarmament forum while subject to four rounds of U.N. Security Council sanctions over its nuclear program, according to Erin Pelton, spokeswoman for the U.S. Mission to the United Nations. The situation "runs counter to the goals and objectives of the Conference on Disarmament itself," according to Pelton.

"As a result, the United States will not be represented at the ambassadorial level during any meeting presided over by Iran," the spokeswoman said.

Iran will take over the conference leadership from Indonesia on May 27 and maintain the position to June 23.

"Pressure, presence or their boycott will not be important to Iran," Agence France-Presse quoted Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Araqchi as saying in response to the U.S. announcement.

"Iran has had a very active presence in the conference and its initiatives," Araqchi added. "We will continue this role, whether it is in a participation capacity or presidency" of the disarmament body.

The 65-nation conference was established as the primary global forum for negotiation of arms control accords. It has failed for more than 15 years to agree on a work plan for consideration of new treaties.