July 10th, the United Nations Security Council held a public meeting on the Iranian nuclear issue.
According to CCTV reports, before the meeting began, a Russian representative stated that Resolution 2231 of the Security Council, which approved the comprehensive agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue, had become invalid, and the Iranian nuclear issue was removed from the Security Council's agenda. The Russian representative requested a procedural vote on the meeting agenda.
According to information from the Permanent Mission to the United Nations, Sun Lei, China's Deputy Representative to the United Nations, spoke later in support of the Russian position.
Sun Lei stated that China supports what Russia has discussed. China has repeatedly reiterated that Resolution 2231 of the Security Council will expire on October 18, 2025, and that the Security Council has ceased to consider the Iranian nuclear issue. The Secretary-General should stop submitting related reports.
The current situation in the Middle East and the Iran nuclear issue are at a critical stage. The Security Council should play a constructive role in facilitating negotiations and easing tensions. Some members insist on holding meetings under a topic that has already been terminated, under the pretext of “supporting diplomatic efforts”. This not only exacerbates the division within the Security Council but also undermines the negotiation atmosphere, seriously hindering the political resolution process regarding the Iran nuclear issue. China is deeply concerned about this.
China urges the relevant countries to stop political manipulation in the Security Council and effectively implement Resolution 2231, which calls for the termination of certain measures. It is also important to maintain the authority of the Security Council and the credibility of multilateral diplomacy, in order to create favorable conditions for a political resolution to the Iranian nuclear issue.
Sun Lei spoke again, urging the maintenance of a ceasefire in the Middle East.
Sun Lei said that the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Iran has temporarily alleviated tensions in the Middle East. However, the current ceasefire situation is fluctuating again, making the prospects for negotiations complex. Whether the Iranian nuclear issue can be properly resolved is crucial for the region to return to peace and stability, and it concerns the common interests of the international community. Relevant parties should advance negotiations with a rational and pragmatic attitude. The US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding promises respect for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, a permanent cessation of military activities on all fronts, and a roadmap for negotiations and the lifting of sanctions. China urges all relevant parties to eliminate interfering factors, refrain from resorting to or threatening with force, maintain and implement the outcomes of the Memorandum of Understanding, reach solutions that take into account each other’s concerns, and promptly lift sanctions against Iran, thereby facilitating substantial progress in the political settlement process.
He said that dealing with the Iranian nuclear issue must respect the legitimate demands and legal rights of the parties involved. Iran should continue to adhere to its commitment not to develop nuclear weapons. Iran has the legal right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. The United States should take practical actions to create conditions for a political solution to the Iranian nuclear issue. The top priority for the Security Council is to maintain an objective and fair stance, to provide time and space for diplomatic efforts, and to create a positive atmosphere for negotiations, avoiding becoming a tool for individual countries to promote their own political agendas and exert pressure.
