Chair, 

China takes note of the report submitted by Director General Grossi on “Verification and monitoring in the Islamic Republic of Iran in light of UN Security Council resolution 2231”. Last week, DG Grossi successfully visited Iran. The two sides had positive and beneficial engagement and exchanges. China welcomes these developments. We encourage the Secretariat and Iran to keep constructive communications, interactions, and cooperation so as to promote the orderly advance of the verification and monitoring in the country. 

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) embodies more than a decade of diplomatic efforts by all parties concerned. It is the only correct way to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue, with no realistic and feasible alternative. A few years ago, due to reasons known to all, the authority, effectiveness, and smooth implementation of the JCPOA were seriously undermined, rendering it in deep deadlock ever since then. Under the current circumstances, parties should firmly safeguard the JCPOA, make concerted efforts to ensure the steady advance of the discussion on the Iranian nuclear issue in the Board, so as to create the necessary conditions and favorable atmosphere for the diplomatic efforts to restore the comprehensive and effective implementation of the JCPOA. The United States, as the party responsible for the current crisis, should make political decisions as soon as possible, abandon its sanctions and pressures on Iran, adopt a rational and pragmatic approach, and return to the right track of decoupling the Iranian nuclear negotiations from other issues.

China will, as always, support the political and diplomatic settlement process of the Iranian nuclear issue. We also call on the parties concerned to keep calm and restraint, and refrain from making any inflammatory rhetoric or taking any such actions. 

Thank you, Mr. Chair.