A Chinese envoy said on Monday that the international community must make every effort to promote a ceasefire in Sudan.
Speaking at a UN Security Council meeting on Sudan, Sun Lei, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, said the international community should persistently pursue peace talks, alleviate the humanitarian crisis, and stand together to maintain regional stability.
"As the conflict in Sudan drags on, it has not only caused heavy casualties and displacement of ordinary people, but also severely undermined development of the country and impacted the stability of neighboring countries. This tragedy should not continue. The Sudanese people's desire for peace is growing, and the responsibility of the UN Security Council and the international community is becoming even greater. China has consistently stressed that sanctions are a means, not an end, and should not become a substitute for diplomatic efforts. The UN Security Council should use this special tool prudently, fully respect Sudan's sovereignty, take into account the legitimate concerns of the country concerned, and ensure that sanctions are objective, just and effective," said Sun.
China welcomes the Sudanese government's initiation of an inclusive political dialogue and supports the United Nations in playing its central mediation role, Sun said.
The international community should effectively safeguard Sudan's sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, adhere to the principle of Sudan's ownership, and avoid imposing external solutions, he added.
Since erupting on April 15, 2023, the war in Sudan has killed tens of thousands, displaced millions, and ruined the economy.
Politically, Sudan is deeply divided, with an internationally recognized government aligned with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), and a parallel administration declared by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in alliance with political and armed groups.
Analysts warn that this fragmentation of authority is prolonging the conflict and raising fears of further instability.
China calls for all-out efforts to promote ceasefire in Sudan
Iran has the right to target the source and origin of any act of aggression, and the U.S. threat to impose new sanctions on Iran constitutes a serious violation of international law, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday.
Responding to what the United States has called "the toughest sanctions in history" on Iran, Baghaei told a press conference in the capital city of Tehran that the Iranian government is fully aware of the economic pressures and business hardships Iran now faces -- all part of the sustained pressure the United States has imposed on the Iranian people for decades.
The government has already assessed the situation and is taking every possible measure to counter the economic sanctions, the spokesman said.
He said that the United States has referred to the sanctions as an "economic war," indicating its total disregard for the free trade system among countries and for national sovereignty.
"The United States, with no justification and no basis in any international law or regulation, uses coercion and intimidation to restrict or force other countries into cutting off trade ties with other nations. This means the United States has violated the very foundation of international relations and one of the core pillars of the UN Charter — respect for national sovereignty. This should serve as a warning to all countries," said Baghaei.
Iran has said explicitly that it will resolutely defend its national sovereignty and territorial security, and will not yield to its enemies, nor will it accept the terms proposed by the United States as a means to end the war, said the spokesman.
Regarding the U.S. sanctions, Baghaei emphasized that the United States is attempting to justify its acts of "economic terrorism" under various pretexts, and Iran has already issued the necessary warnings: any party that participates in such U.S. actions or takes aggressive measures against Iran will pay the price.
On the recent presence of U.S. military aircraft in Bulgaria, Baghaei said that Iran has made its position clear to the Bulgarian government: Iran harbors no hostility toward Bulgaria, but allowing U.S. military aircraft to remain on its territory would be viewed by Iran as support for U.S.-Israeli aggression against Iran.
Under international law, Iran has the right to strike at any source of aggression against it and resolutely defend its national sovereignty, he added.
Iran says US sanction threat violates international law
