President, 

Before talking about the agenda item of this meeting, I wish to start by strongly condemning the terrorist attack that struck the Republic of Dagestan of the Russian Federation on the 23rd of this month. We offer our profound condolences to the deceased and extend our sincere condolences to the injured, the bereaved families, and the Russian Government and people. 

President,

I wish to start by thanking Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo, Ambassador Stavros Lambrinidis, head of the EU delegation to the UN, and Ambassador Vanessa Frazier, Permanent Representative of Malta, for their briefings. 

JCPOA is a major achievement of multilateral diplomacy endorsed by the Security Council. Currently, negotiations to restore its implementation remain deadlocked, placing the future of the Iranian nuclear situation at a crucial juncture. It is the shared wish of the international community that the negotiations will achieve an earlier breakthrough, so as to inject positive energy and bring new hopes to the conflict- and crisis-ridden Middle Eastern region and to the world rife with uncertainties and instability. I wish to share the following four observations. 

First, adhering to the overarching goal of political and diplomatic settlement. Parties must, with a greater sense of urgency, demonstrate a positive attitude and step up dialogue and engagement to restart negotiations to resume JCPOA’s complete and effective implementation without delay. The European Union, in its capacity as coordinator, has conducted good offices for the resumption of the negotiations. We encourage the EU to maintain its vital, coordinating role. It was the United States’ unilateral withdrawal from JCPOA and its ongoing maximum pressure against Iran that have perpetrated the Iranian nuclear crisis to this day. The US should take up its responsibility, show goodwill, and come up with concrete measures to create conditions conducive to the Plan’s prompt return to the right track. 

Second, abiding by the fundamental principles of fairness and impartiality. The unilateral sanctions imposed by the US against Iran are detrimental to mutually beneficial cooperation among countries, run counter to international fairness and justice, and severely undermine international law and international relations. We urge the United States to swiftly lift its illegal sanctions against Iran as well as its long-arm jurisdiction measures against third party entities and individuals. This will help Iran regain its right for access to trade and economic activities, creating conditions for other parties’ normalized trade and economic cooperation with Iran, offering incentives to the Iranian side, and paving the way for future negotiations. 

Third, fostering a positive, favorable atmosphere for negotiation. Facts have shown that pressuring Iran but not help the matter. Communication and dialogue are the right paths. IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi has been engaging with Iran, including his visit in May. This helps build mutual trust between the Agency and Iran, and facilitates the Agency’s monitoring activities on the ground. However, certain countries have pushed the Agency to adopt resolutions to exert pressure on Iran. This is not a constructive approach and only escalates animosity, provokes confrontations, damages mutual trust, and further complicates the situation.

Fourth, seeking a proper settlement to regional security issues. The Iranian nuclear issue bears on the Middle East situation. Safeguarding JCPOA contributes to regional peace and stability and aligns with the common interest of countries in the region. Regional countries concerned need to uphold the concept of common security, take seriously each other’s legitimate and reasonable security concerns to mitigate tensions through dialogue, build mutual trust, and garner consensus, thereby laying the groundwork for durable peace in the region. That said, certain countries should stop exploiting the Iranian nuclear issue to advance their own geopolitical agenda. They should refrain from linking the Iranian nuclear negotiations with other issues. Doing so will only disrupt negotiations for resumed implementation and undermine diplomatic efforts aimed at addressing the Iranian nuclear issue. 

President, 

Safeguarding JCPOA means upholding multilateralism, means maintaining international fairness and justice, and means preserving the authority of this Council. China has constructively participated in the negotiations to restore its implementation and played a constructive role in forging consensus. Going forward, China will continue to work with all parties to ensure an early agreement on restoring the Plan’s implementation, to push for a political settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue, to safeguard the international non-proliferation regime, and strive tirelessly for peace and stability in the Middle East. 

I thank you, President.