The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) should stop reviewing the Iranian nuclear issue as the UNSC Resolution 2231 endorsing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Iran's nuclear program has expired and terminated, a Chinese envoy to the UN said on Friday.
Speaking at a UN General Assembly meeting on the IAEA annual report in New York, Sun Lei, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, said that the IAEA should adopt an objective and fair position, perform its duties in strict accordance with its mandate, and provide assistance to help the relevant parties move toward each other and resume dialogue and negotiation.
"The Iranian nuclear issue must ultimately be properly resolved through diplomatic means. Resorting to force and imposing sanctions and pressure will only heighten tensions. Iran, as a non-nuclear-weapon state party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), should honor its commitment to not developing nuclear weapons. Iran's legitimate right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy should be respected," he said.
Sun said that UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which endorsed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Iran's nuclear program, has expired and terminated. The Security Council and the IAEA should stop reviewing the Iranian nuclear issue, and IAEA Director General should stop submitting relevant reports.
Referring to the AUKUS nuclear submarine cooperation, Sun said that AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine cooperation poses a serious risk of nuclear proliferation and challenges the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and the IAEA's safeguard and monitoring system.
He said that the relevant issues should be addressed through an open, transparent, inclusive and sustainable intergovernmental process on the basis of equality and mutual respect, in search of a solution acceptable to all parties.
The Chinese envoy emphasized that the IAEA should work with all parties to resist unilateralism and protectionism, safeguard member states' legitimate right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and continue to provide assistance to member states, especially developing countries, in developing and utilizing nuclear energy and nuclear technology.
China has submitted to the UN General Assembly First Committee a draft resolution on "Promoting Cooperation on Peaceful Uses in the Context of International Security," and hopes all parties will actively support it, according to Sun.
He stressed that China highly values and supports the important role of the IAEA in global nuclear governance and development, and is committed to advancing cooperation with the IAEA, promoting the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and safeguarding the international nuclear non-proliferation system. China is ready to work with the IAEA and other member states to jointly build a just, equitable, universally beneficial and inclusive global nuclear governance system, and to make greater contribution to promoting the development of the peaceful uses of atomic energy, Sun said.
IAEA should stop reviewing Iranian nuclear issue as Resolution 2231 expires: Chinese envoy
