President, 

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was once an important multilateral diplomatic achievement endorsed by Security Council resolution. It stood as a model for resolving disputes through dialogue, balanced the goals of nuclear non-proliferation and the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and played a critical role in maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East. However, in 2018, the United States unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA, imposed unilateral sanctions on Iran, and pursued a “maximum pressure” policy. In June this year, together with Israel, the United States brazenly attacked Iranian nuclear facilities under safeguards by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), plunging the Iranian nuclear issue into serious difficulty. After the U.S. withdrawal, the E3 aligned themselves with the United States in imposing unilateral sanctions on Iran, failed to fulfill their obligations under the JCPOA, failed to exhaust the “dispute resolution” mechanism, and, following attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, insisted on pushing for the “snapback”, repeatedly intensifying tensions and confrontation among the parties.

The current situation regarding the Iranian nuclear issue is not welcomed by any party. If the situation further deteriorates, it will severely undermine the authority and effectiveness of the international non-proliferation regime and undermine peace and stability in the Middle East. China calls on the relevant parties to enhance their sense of urgency, demonstrate their sense of responsibility, promptly resume the negotiation, and strive to reach consensus and achieve results. I wish to make the following points:

First, adhering to a political solution is the only viable path. Force and confrontation cannot resolve the issue. All parties should remain calm and exercise restraint, stick to diplomacy and dialogue to properly manage differences, so as to avoid returning to a vicious cycle of sanctions, pressure, and escalation. The United States should earnestly assume its responsibilities, demonstrate political sincerity, make a clear commitment not to use force against Iran, and proactively resume negotiations with Iran. The E3 should abandon microphone diplomacy, play a constructive role in easing tensions and bridging differences, and translate their stated commitment to a diplomatic solution into concrete actions.

Second, upholding fairness and justice is the basic principle. Despite suffering unjust treatment, Iran has repeatedly reaffirmed the peaceful nature of its nuclear program, emphasized that it has no intention of developing nuclear weapons, and actively engaged with all parties to sought solutions. The experience with the JCPOA has demonstrated that the Iranian nuclear issue can be properly resolved through comprehensive and stringent safeguards and verification upon Iran. China calls on relevant countries to view the difficulties Iran faces in restoring safeguards in an objective manner, attach importance to Iran's sincerity and positive efforts, instead of one-sided pressure and disruption.

Third, conducting dialogue on an equal footing is the fundamental way forward. Any solution to the Iranian nuclear issue must fully respect Iran's legitimate rights as a non-nuclear-weapon State party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and ensure the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program. All relevant parties should respect each other's reasonable security concerns, ease tensions through equal dialogue, build mutual trust, and reach at an early date a solution that meets the expectations of the international community. Certain country should abandon attempts to advance geopolitical agendas through the Iranian nuclear negotiations or to link the Iranian nuclear issue with other issues, as such practices will only disrupt the negotiation process and undermine diplomatic efforts.

Fourth, fostering a favorable atmosphere is the necessary condition. Recently, regional countries have actively engaged in mediation efforts to promote the resumption of negotiations. China supports all efforts aimed at restarting talks and believes this is also the position of the vast majority of Security Council members. The Security Council should play a constructive role by creating time and space for diplomatic efforts and fostering a positive atmosphere for the resumption of negotiations. Relevant countries should stop pushing for sanctions and inciting confrontation, and cease abusing the Security Council to unilaterally punish Iran.

President,

As a permanent member of the Security Council and JCPOA participant, China has always been playing a constructive role on the Iranian nuclear issue and actively promoting peace and negotiations. Recently, China has maintained close communication with all relevant parties at various levels, and has repeatedly conveyed its position through letters to the United Nations and the IAEA, calling for the political and diplomatic resolution. Together with Russia, China has also submitted a draft Security Council resolution on the technical extension of UNSCR 2231.

China will continue to work with all parties to make unremitting efforts to promote the early resumption of negotiations, advance the political solution process of the Iranian nuclear issue, uphold the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, and promote peace and stability in the Middle East.

Thank you, President.

Statement by Ambassador Sun Lei after Russia's Point of Order at the Security Council Briefing on Iranian Nuclear Issue

President,

China supports the position of Russia. I wish to point out that the E3's assertion of triggering the “snapback” mechanism is legally and procedurally flawed, and that the Security Council has not reached consensus on whether the E3 have the right to trigger the mechanism. Security Council resolution 2231 was terminated on 18 October, and the Security Council has concluded its consideration of the Iranian nuclear issue. The Secretary-General should cease submitting reports on the implementation of UNSCR 2231. That certain countries force the Security Council to convene meetings under an agenda item that has already been terminated will only undermine the authority of Security Council resolutions, damage the unity of the Council, and exacerbate tensions and divisions. China expresses serious concern in this regard.

China calls on Security Council members to earnestly implement the “Termination Day” measures of UNSCR 2231, uphold the authority of the Council and the credibility of multilateral diplomacy, and create favorable conditions for a political resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue.

Thank you, President.