China has strongly opposed Europe’s move to trigger snapback sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program, warning that such actions could worsen tensions. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Friday that the Iran nuclear issue is at a “critical juncture” and urged all parties to pursue dialogue rather than confrontation.
France, Germany, and the UK recently referred Iran to the United Nations for failing to cooperate with nuclear inspections, seeking the re-imposition of international sanctions. However, China and Russia argue that the snapback mechanism itself violates the 2015 nuclear accord, which was undermined after the U.S. withdrawal in 2018.
China, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, emphasized that sanctions will not provide a solution and instead risk escalating regional instability. Guo said that Beijing remains committed to helping the Iranian nuclear issue return to the path of diplomacy and negotiations at the earliest.
According to China, any UN action should promote constructive dialogue and prevent deterioration. With growing global concerns over Iran’s nuclear activities, the debate on sanctions is expected to intensify, highlighting divisions between Western nations and powers like China and Russia.
