China has called for a ceasefire in the Gulf region to remain in place amid emerging obstacles that could derail Iran's nuclear negotiations. Beijing also rejected a UN Security Council meeting on the issue because it considered the agenda based on Resolution 2231 to have ended.
Deputy Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations Sun Lei said that resolving the Iranian nuclear issue is directly related to restoring peace and stability in the Middle East. The issue also concerns the common interests of the international community.
Quoted from a report by China Daily, Saturday, July 11, Sun Lei made the statement at a UN Security Council meeting on Iran's nuclear issue on Friday.
According to Sun, tensions in the Middle East had eased after the United States and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding. However, the ceasefire is now facing setbacks and challenges that make the prospects for negotiations more complicated.
"The US-Iran memorandum of understanding contains a commitment to mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, permanently stopping military activities on all fronts, and drawing up a roadmap for negotiations and easing sanctions," Sun said.
China urged all parties to address factors that disrupt the ceasefire and refrain from the use or threat of violence. Beijing also asked that the memorandum of understanding be maintained and implemented.
Sun said the settlement reached must accommodate the interests of all parties. China also asked that sanctions against Iran be lifted immediately so that the settlement process through the political channel could produce real progress.
According to Sun, the resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue must respect the legitimate aspirations as well as the legal rights and interests of the parties concerned.
Iran is asked to remain committed to not developing nuclear weapons. However, as a non-nuclear-weapon state that is a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Iran still has the right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
The United States, Sun said, must also take concrete steps to create conditions that support a political settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue.
China and Russia refused to hold the Security Council meeting. Both countries considered that Resolution 2231 had ended so that Iran's nuclear issue was no longer on the council's agenda based on the resolution.
Resolution 2231 endorsed the Iran nuclear deal in 2015 and became the basis of the UN mechanism regarding sanctions, monitoring, and reporting.
China Daily said Russia then requested a procedural vote to determine the continuation of the meeting agenda. Sun spoke before the vote to reiterate China's rejection.
He said Resolution 2231 expires on October 18, 2025. According to China, the Security Council has stopped discussing Iran's nuclear issue based on the agenda. The Secretary-General of the United Nations is also asked not to submit any related reports.
"The situation in the Middle East and the current Iranian nuclear issue are at a critical point. The Security Council must play a constructive role in encouraging negotiations and easing tensions," Sun said.
Beijing judged that a number of members forced the meeting on the grounds of supporting diplomatic efforts, even though the agenda, according to China, had ended.
Sun said the move could deepen divisions in the Security Council, undermine the atmosphere of negotiations, and hinder a political settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue.
China asked the countries concerned to stop political manipulation in the Security Council, respect the expiration of Resolution 2231, and maintain the council's authority and the credibility of multilateral diplomacy.
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