A senior Chinese diplomat, Fu Cong, China’s permanent representative to the United Nations, has accused the United States of reigniting tensions in the Iran nuclear crisis. Speaking at an open meeting of the UN Security Council in New York, Fu Cong stated that the US, as the instigator of the crisis, has undermined the negotiation process it initiated earlier this year with Iran.
Key Points of the Crisis
– *US Withdrawal from JCPOA*: The US unilaterally withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2018, reinstating and continuously escalating unilateral sanctions against Iran.
– *Impact on Iran’s Economy*: These sanctions deprived Iran of the economic benefits promised by the agreement, forcing Iran to reduce its commitments.
– *Recent Military Strikes*: The US recently launched military strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, further disrupting the negotiation process and causing the nuclear issue to reach an impasse.
Consequences and Concerns
– *Dangerous Escalation*: Fu Cong described the recent US military strikes as “a dangerous escalation” that undermines months of diplomatic efforts.
– *Bad Precedent*: The attacks on nuclear facilities set a bad precedent, threatening the international nuclear non-proliferation regime.
– *Regional Stability*: The diplomat warned that the situation poses a significant risk to regional stability, with potential supply chain disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global energy shipments.
Call to Action
– *Return to Negotiations*: Fu Cong emphasized that dialogue, not military action, remains the only viable path forward, calling for all parties to return to the negotiating table with urgency.
