China supports the request by Iran and Russia to convene the special session of the IAEA Board of Governors.
The United States and Israel have once again launched military strikes against Iran, including attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities under the IAEA safeguards, causing sudden escalation of tensions in the Middle East. China is highly concerned about these developments. China consistently advocates adherence to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and opposes the use or threat of force in international relations. It is unacceptable for the U.S. and Israel to launch attacks against Iran in the midst of ongoing Iran-U.S. negotiations, blatantly assassinate the leader of a sovereign country and instigate regime change. These actions seriously violate Iran’s sovereignty and security, trample on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and basic norms in international relations. China firmly opposes and strongly condemns such actions.
Iran’s national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity should be respected. China calls for an immediate cessation of military operations and a prompt return to dialogue and negotiations, and urges joint opposition to unilateral actions. The international community should make clear and unequivocal voice in opposing the regression of the world to the law of the jungle.
China has consistently advocated resolving the Iranian nuclear issue through dialogue and negotiation. China respects Iran's legitimate right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy, attaches importance to Iran's repeated reaffirmations that it has no intention of developing nuclear weapons, and notes that according to IAEA Director General’s report, the IAEA has no credible indications of an ongoing, undeclared structured nuclear weapon programme in Iran.
The recent Iran-U.S. negotiations have provided opportunity for all parties to resolve the dispute peacefully. China appreciates the assistance provided by regional countries and the Director General of the IAEA in facilitating the negotiations. A peaceful resolution to the Iranian nuclear issue through political and diplomatic means is the only correct option and is in the common interest of the international community. China calls upon the relevant parties to resume dialogue and negotiations as soon as possible, supports the IAEA in performing its duties objectively and impartially, and urges efforts to return the Iranian nuclear issue to the correct track of peaceful resolution, safeguard the authority of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, and maintain peace and stability in the Middle East.