According to the United Nations website and the website of China's Permanent Mission to the United Nations, at a public meeting held by the United Nations Security Council on June 9 local time, it was not possible to reach an agreement regarding whether the sanctions related to Iran's nuclear issue should continue to be in effect.
On September 19, 2025, the Security Council failed to pass a resolution. The resolution was originally intended to continue the sanctions exemptions for Iran in accordance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Previously, due to Iran being accused of not fulfilling its obligations under the agreement, France, Germany, and the UK initiated procedures to reinstate sanctions against Iran, known as the “Rapid Resumption Mechanism,” which ultimately led to the collapse of the aforementioned resolution.
Later that month, another similar resolution by the Security Council failed to pass. At a briefing on December 23, 2025, a senior United Nations official reported that, due to the aforementioned situation, the previously lifted sanctions against Iran were reinstated on September 27, 2025. The official website of the Security Council Committee on Iran, established under Resolution 1737 (2006), and the relevant sanctions lists were also re-activated.
Regarding the recent meeting of the Committee by the Security Council, representatives from Russia and China stated that the 'rapid sanctions restoration' mechanism has not been activated. However, France, the UK, and the US insist that this mechanism has been officially triggered, and sanctions against Iran have been reinstated.
Before the meeting began, a Russian representative stated that for various reasons, the mechanism for ‘rapid resumption of sanctions’ had not been activated. All kinds of deliberate misinterpretations, along with the wrong and illegal positions of the leadership of the United Nations Secretariat, render this situation ineffective. Russia emphasized that there is currently no reason, nor will there be a reason in the future, to hold a briefing by the committee related to Resolution 1737. It also proposed that the Security Council should vote on the procedural matter of whether to hold this meeting.
Regarding the proposal made by the Russian representatives, China's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Sun Lei, stated that China supports what the Russians have discussed. The Security Council has never reached an agreement on whether the EU three countries are qualified to initiate the "rapid sanctions restoration" mechanism. Resolution 2231 of the Security Council expired on October 18 last year, and the Security Council has ceased its consideration of the Iranian nuclear issue.
Ambassador Sun Lei stated that certain countries have deliberately ignored the differences and concerns among the members of the Security Council, and have forcibly pushed the Security Council to resume sanctions against Iran. They also forced the Security Council to hold meetings on issues that have already been terminated, which bears full responsibility for the current difficult situation of the Security Council. Such actions will not only exacerbate the division within the Security Council, but also seriously hinder the political resolution process regarding Iran's nuclear issue. China is deeply concerned about this.
Ambassador Sun Lei emphasized that China calls on the members of the Security Council to effectively implement Resolution 2231, "Terminating the relevant measures," in order to maintain the authority of the Security Council and the credibility of multilateral diplomacy, and create favorable conditions for a political solution to the Iranian nuclear issue.
Subsequently, it was decided by the Security Council whether to hold this public meeting for a roll-call vote. In the end, 11 votes were in favor, 2 votes against (from China and Russia), and 2 votes abstained (from Pakistan and Somalia). Thus, the meeting could proceed.
Regarding this, Ambassador Sun Lei stated in his speech at the public meeting that China is disappointed with the voting results just now.
Chairperson,
China expresses disappointment over the voting results just now. I would like to reiterate that the Security Council has ceased its consideration of the Iranian nuclear issue. Years of experience have shown that whether the Iranian nuclear issue can be properly resolved is crucial for the authority and effectiveness of the international nuclear non-proliferation system, for the long-term stability of the Middle East, and for world peace and stability.
Currently, the United States and Iran have reached a ceasefire and are exploring solutions through negotiations. However, the situation remains sensitive, complex, and fragile, with significant instability and uncertainty. In this context, the Security Council must be cautious in dealing with related issues, standing on the side of peace and the correct side of history. Based on experience with the comprehensive nuclear agreement, China believes that the following issues should be addressed with particular attention:
First, the requests of Iran for peaceful use of nuclear energy should be addressed comprehensively. The Chinese side recognizes Iran’s repeated commitments to not develop nuclear weapons. At the same time, as a party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, Iran has the legal right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. The Chinese side supports efforts between the United States and Iran to resolve their differences through rational and practical negotiations, thereby ensuring that Iran can carry out peaceful nuclear activities under strict supervision by the International Atomic Energy Agency, and effectively eliminating the risk of nuclear proliferation.
Secondly, it is essential to manage the relationships between the parties on the basis of equality and mutual respect. The use of force or even the imposition of war will only push the Iranian nuclear issue and the situation in the Middle East into a dangerous abyss. The United States’ unilateral withdrawal from the comprehensive Iran nuclear agreement and its military actions against Iran twice during the negotiation process have severely undermined diplomatic efforts, which is the root cause of the current difficult and complex situation. Relevant parties should learn from this experience, abandon power politics, engage in equal and sincere dialogue, promise not to use force again, ensure the effective implementation of future agreements, and take concrete actions to regain the confidence of the international community. Maintaining a ceasefire is a top priority. Relevant parties should focus on peace and make efforts to achieve a ceasefire and reach agreements that are beneficial to all parties.
Third, it is necessary to balance the legitimate security concerns of all parties. The world is an indivisible community of security, and the security of one country should not be achieved at the expense of the security of other countries. Conflicts impose a heavy burden on the countries involved, and also impact the development and welfare of regional countries and the international community. All parties involved should maintain calmness and restraint, comply with international legal obligations and the principles of the United Nations Charter, lift unilateral sanctions, take into account the legitimate security concerns of each other and neighboring countries, and gradually advance the negotiation process, in order to make efforts towards building a balanced, effective, and sustainable security framework for the Middle East.
Under the current circumstances, the Security Council should play a constructive role, rather than simply pushing sanctions and imposing pressure on Iran. It must not become a tool for individual countries to advance their own political agendas. Members of the Security Council should focus on the overall political resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue, effectively providing time and space for diplomatic efforts, and creating a positive atmosphere for diplomatic negotiations. This is also the stance of the majority of members of the Security Council.
Chairperson,
China has always paid close attention to the situation in the Middle East and the developments related to Iran's nuclear issue. It has always maintained an objective and fair stance, working towards a ceasefire and striving for peace. President Xi Jinping has solemnly proposed four initiatives to maintain and promote peace and stability in the Middle East. China and Pakistan have put forward five initiatives to restore peace and stability in the Gulf and Middle East regions. China also maintains close communication with all relevant parties regarding Iran's nuclear issue. It has sent multiple letters to the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency to clarify its position, calling for the maintenance of a process for political and diplomatic resolutions. China is willing to continue working together with the international community to provide greater support for promoting peace talks and to play a constructive role in the peaceful resolution of Iran's nuclear issue and in achieving lasting peace in the Middle East region.
Thank you, Mr. President.
