A Security Council meeting on Iranian nuclear issue is held at the UN headquarters in New York, on June 24, 2025. Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, on Tuesday called for the return to the track of political settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue. (Xinhua/Xie E)

UNITED NATIONS, June 24 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Tuesday called for the return to the track of political settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue.

China is of the view that there is still hope for a peaceful solution to the Iranian nuclear issue as diplomatic means have not been exhausted, Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, told the Security Council.

It is necessary for all parties to draw lessons from the crisis, restart dialogue on an equal footing and promote the return to the track of a political settlement, he said.

First thing first is to stop the fighting, he said, adding that China has taken note of the current developments on the ground and looks forward to the realization of a genuine ceasefire.

"The parties concerned should take practical measures to prevent the situation from escalating again. Meanwhile, the international community must make efforts to cool down the situation and promote dialogue and negotiation," he said.

To balance the objectives of nuclear non-proliferation and the peaceful use of nuclear energy, he called on Iran to continue to abide by its commitment not to develop nuclear weapons and all other parties to fully respect Iran's right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy as a state party to the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Noting that China supports all efforts to relaunch negotiations, he said the Security Council should play a constructive role in assisting parties in building trust, bridging differences and creating conditions conducive to the resumption of negotiations.

Relevant countries should abandon the practice of threatening to activate "the snapback mechanism" for sanctions against Iran at every turn as this will only aggravate tensions and confrontations and even further jeopardize diplomatic efforts, he said.

"A proper solution to the Iranian nuclear issue has a direct bearing on the authority and effectiveness of the international non-proliferation regime and is crucial to peace and stability in the Middle East," said Fu.

"At present, the situation in the region is at a critical and crucial juncture. China calls on all parties to act with a higher sense of urgency and responsibility to de-escalate the situation as soon as possible and resume negotiations at the earliest possible date," he said.

As a permanent member of the Security Council and a party to the Iran nuclear deal, China will continue to maintain an objective and impartial position, strengthen communication and coordination with all parties, build synergy, and uphold fairness and justice, with a view to playing a constructive role in restoring peace in the Middle East and promoting a political solution to the Iranian nuclear issue, he added. ■

Fu Cong (C, front), China's permanent representative to the United Nations, speaks during a Security Council meeting on Iranian nuclear issue at the UN headquarters in New York, on June 24, 2025. The Chinese envoy on Tuesday called for the return to the track of political settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue. (Xinhua/Xie E)