British News Agency

The United Nations Security Council held a vote on September 17 on a draft resolution submitted by the United States to extend the mandate of the Panel of Experts of the Iran Sanctions Committee. Russia and China voted “no,” and the draft resolution was rejected.

The 81st United Nations General Assembly also held a plenary session yesterday on the use of the veto by the permanent members of the Security Council.

China’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Sun Lei, said during the session that all actions that escalate tensions and undermine negotiations should be rejected. Sun said every opportunity that helps reduce tensions and support diplomatic efforts should be seized.

Sun Lei said the United States’ unilateral withdrawal from the comprehensive nuclear agreement, its maximum-pressure policy against Iran, and its use of military force against Iran twice during the negotiation process were the root causes of the Iranian nuclear issue reaching its current difficult situation.

Sun noted that distorting the history of the Iranian nuclear issue, reimposing sanctions on Iran and insisting on putting the controversial draft resolution to a vote would undermine the unity and authority of the Security Council, adding that such initiatives would also obstruct diplomatic efforts.

Sun Lei stressed that China voted “no” in order to support a political solution to the Iranian nuclear issue, appropriately address concerns over nuclear non-proliferation and preserve lasting peace in the Middle East.