Russia and China clash over Iran nuclear talks at UN Security Council
UN Security Council (photo: GettyImages)
The US Ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, stated that Russia and China attempted to block discussions on the sanctions mechanism against Iran in the UN Security Council. However, the majority of countries opposed this initiative, according to Reuters.
Attempt to block the sanctions committee
During the Security Council meeting, representatives from Russia and China proposed halting discussions on the activities of the so-called Committee 1737, which monitors the implementation of international sanctions against Iran.
The initiative by Moscow and Beijing was not supported. In the end, 11 countries voted to continue discussions on the committee’s work, while two countries abstained.
US position
US diplomat Mike Waltz emphasized that UN sanctions are aimed at preventing threats from Iran’s nuclear and missile programs and countering Tehran’s support for terrorism.
“All member states of the United Nations should be implementing an arms embargo against Iran, banning the transfer and trade of missile technology, and freezing relevant financial assets. China and Russia did not want a functional sanctions committee because they want to protect their partner, Iran, and continue to maintain defense cooperation that is now once again prohibited,” Waltz said.
IAEA Data on Iran’s nuclear program
Waltz also referenced recent findings from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). According to the data, Iran remains the only non-nuclear-weapon state that has accumulated uranium enriched to 60% while denying IAEA inspectors access to these stockpiles.
Reaction from Russia and China
The Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, claimed that the US and its allies are allegedly stirring hysteria over Iran potentially developing nuclear weapons. According to him, such claims have not been confirmed by IAEA reports.
Meanwhile, Chinese representative Fu Cong accused Washington of being the initiator of the Iranian nuclear crisis. He argued that the US use of force during the negotiation process undermined diplomatic efforts.
Position of Iran and European countries
The Iranian Ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, told journalists that his country’s nuclear program has always been entirely peaceful. He also emphasized that Tehran does not recognize attempts to impose new sanctions against it.
At the same time, the UK and France support reinstating sanctions. A French representative stated that the IAEA can no longer guarantee the peaceful nature of Iran’s program, and that the amount of enriched uranium accumulated could theoretically allow the production of up to ten nuclear warheads.
For context, California Governor Gavin Newsom noted that there is currently no direct threat to the state, despite FBI warnings about possible strikes by Iranian drones on the US West Coast.
Iran has not yet employed its main strategic lever — the total mining of the Strait of Hormuz, which could trigger a global economic crisis and completely halt oil exports.
