Chinese envoy calls for prompt resumption of negotiations on Iranian nuclear issue

Chinese envoy Sun Lei called on the relevant parties to promptly resume negotiations on the Iranian nuclear issue during a UN Security Council meeting on December 24, 2025.

Sun Lei, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, pointed out that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was an important multilateral diplomatic achievement that stood for the peaceful resolution of conflicts through dialogue. However, following the United States' unilateral withdrawal from the JCPOA and its subsequent "maximum pressure" policy, Iran underwent severe attacks led by the U.S., who failed to follow through with the "dispute resolution" mechanism. 

Sun Lei urged relevant parties to treat the Iranian nuclear issue with urgency and resolve to reach a peaceful solution. He said, "The current situation regarding the Iranian nuclear issue is not welcomed by any party. 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. China calls on the relevant parties to enhance their sense of urgency, demonstrate their sense of responsibility, promptly resume the negotiation, and strive to reach consensus and achieve results."

Sun Lei 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." He stressed that the E3 should "abandon microphone diplomacy" and "play a constructive role."

Sun Lei highlighted that China has played a constructive role on the Iranian nuclear issue and has actively promoted peace and negotiations.

Sun affirmed that "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."

JCPOA, effectively stalled in 2025, was a deal that ensured Iran's nuclear program remained exclusively peaceful and would not lead to nuclear weapons. In 2018, the U.S. withdrew from the JCPOA and reimposed sanctions against Iran.