On December 24, 2025, during a United Nations Security Council meeting, Chinese envoy Sun Lei called on relevant parties to promptly resume negotiations on the Iranian nuclear issue.
Sun Lei, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, described the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) as an important multilateral diplomatic achievement that stood for peaceful conflict resolution through dialogue. However, following the United States' unilateral withdrawal from the JCPOA in 2018 and its subsequent "maximum pressure" policy, the deal effectively stalled this year.
"The current situation regarding the Iranian nuclear issue is not welcomed by any party," Sun said. "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."
He urged parties to enhance their sense of urgency, demonstrate responsibility, promptly resume negotiations, and strive for consensus and tangible results. Sun also called on the United States to "earnestly assume its responsibilities, demonstrate political sincerity, make a clear commitment not to use force against Iran, and proactively resume negotiations with Iran."
Criticizing the E3 – France, Germany and the United Kingdom – for their reliance on "microphone diplomacy," he encouraged them to play a constructive role in bridging differences.
Highlighting China's efforts, Sun affirmed, "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."
Background: The JCPOA, agreed in 2015, was designed to ensure Iran's nuclear program remained exclusively peaceful. Its collapse followed the United States' 2018 exit and the reimposition of sanctions, leading to stalled talks in 2025 amid rising regional tensions.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
