China calls for respecting Iran's right to peaceful use of nuclear energy

China's deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations has called for respecting Iran's “legitimate” right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

"Iran's legitimate right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy should be respected", Sun Lei told a meeting of the UN General Assembly on Russia’s and China’s veto of a Washington-backed draft resolution at the Security Council against Iran.

On September 17, the Security Council failed to adopt the resolution renewing the mandate of the UN Panel of Experts tasked with monitoring the implementation of UN sanctions re-imposed on Iran via the so-called “snapback mechanism” in 2025. The resolution received 11 votes in favor, two against (China and Russia) and two abstentions.

Sun said Beijing vetoed the draft resolution with the aim of preserving diplomatic efforts and addressing disputes over the Iranian nuclear issue through talks.

He added that "The initiation of the 'snapback' mechanism was flawed both legally and procedurally".

The draft sought to extend the mandate of the 1737 Committee's Iran sanctions Panel of Experts until September 2027.

Beijing and Moscow dispute the validity of the snapback and have stressed that Resolution 2231 expired in October 2025, meaning the previous sanctions regime and its subsidiary bodies were not restored.

Sun noted that the current situation surrounding Iran’s nuclear program stemmed from the US unilateral withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), in 2018, its "maximum pressure" campaign against the Islamic Republic and its launch of military aggressions while negotiations with Tehran were underway.

He pointed out that Britain, France and Germany had also "failed to fulfill their obligations under the JCPOA or exhaust its dispute settlement procedures".

"Distorting the history and context of the Iranian nuclear issue, insisting on pushing for the restoration of sanctions at the Security Council, and advancing a controversial draft resolution will undermine the unity and authority of the Security Council and obstruct diplomatic efforts," Sun warned, adding "China firmly opposes such actions.”

Sun noted that "The continued hostilities between the United States and Iran serve neither the interests of the parties concerned nor those of the international community."

Iran scolds US, allies for abusing UNSC to advance own political agendas

A senior Iranian diplomat blasts the United States and its allies for repeatedly abusing the UN Security Council mechanisms to advance their own political agendas against the world’s countries.

He urged the US, Iran and other parties to resolve their disputes through dialogue and talks.

"China has no selfish interests in the Iranian nuclear issue," Sun emphasized, adding that China would continue working with all parties toward a political settlement.

Speaking at the meeting, Gholamhossein Darzi, Iranian ambassador and charge de'affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations, blasted the United States and its allies for repeatedly abusing the UN Security Council mechanisms to advance their own political agendas against the world’s countries.

The US and the Israeli regime waged their first unprovoked war against Iran, which lasted 12 days, in June 2025. Their second aggression began on February 28, 2026, and came to a temporary halt in early April after 40 days.

In both wars, Iran’s resistance and successful retaliatory operations forced the aggressors to declare a ceasefire.

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