Chinese envoy Sun Lei made a passionate appeal at a UN Security Council meeting on December 24, 2025, urging nations to restart stalled negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program. With tensions rising, Sun emphasized that ‘dialogue over discord’ remains key to preventing escalation. 🔄
JCPOA: A Deal in Peril
The 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), designed to ensure Iran’s nuclear program stays peaceful, has been effectively frozen since 2025. Sun criticized the U.S. for its 2018 withdrawal and subsequent sanctions, calling it a ‘major setback for multilateral diplomacy’. 💥
China’s Role as Mediator
Sun highlighted China’s efforts to bridge divides, urging the U.S. to ‘demonstrate political sincerity’ by renouncing military action against Iran. He also called on European powers (E3) to ditch ‘microphone diplomacy’—public posturing over private talks—and focus on constructive engagement. 🕊️
Why This Matters Now
With the Middle East already facing instability, Sun warned that further delays could ‘undermine global non-proliferation efforts’ and regional peace. China vows to keep pushing for resumed talks, balancing its role as a Security Council heavyweight with its energy interests in the Gulf. ⚖️
