China calls on IAEA to back peaceful nuclear cooperation, diplomacy on Iran

China has called for the International Atomic Energy Agency to work with all parties to oppose unilateralism and protectionism, protect access to peaceful nuclear technology and promote a diplomatic solution to hot spot issues.

Speaking as the UN General Assembly reviewed the IAEA's 2025 annual report on Friday, China's deputy permanent representative Sun Lei also warned that AUKUS nuclear submarine cooperation poses proliferation risks, calling for an inclusive intergovernmental process to address concerns over safeguards.

In the annual report, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi highlighted the agency's achievements across nonproliferation, safety, and development, including nearly 3,000 in-field verifications and a continuous presence at nuclear facilities in Ukraine.

The IAEA chief also outlined expanding nuclear applications for health, food security, and environmental protection, citing the agency's Rays of Hope initiative for cancer care in more than 100 countries, and Atoms4Food initiative tackling hunger across 46 countries.

"The world is fractured, but progress continues in the patient work of peace, security and development," Grossi posted on X later on Friday. "IAEA's unique contribution to dialogue, transparency and multilateral cooperation remains indispensable."

Sun commended the agency's progress in safeguards, nuclear safety and security, peaceful nuclear cooperation and sustainable development.

"The IAEA should uphold its objective, impartial, independent and technical character, promote consensus-building, dialogue and cooperation," Sun said.

Nuclear energy and technology play important roles in addressing climate change, facilitating energy transition and promoting safety and security governance, he said. But challenges to nonproliferation and nuclear safety remain severe, while politicization and undue restrictions persist in peaceful nuclear development.

Safeguard rights

He urged the agency to safeguard countries' legitimate rights to peaceful nuclear uses and continue helping developing nations to develop and use nuclear energy and technology.

He noted that China has submitted to the Assembly's First Committee a draft resolution, "Promoting International Cooperation on Peaceful Uses in the Context of International Security", which reaffirms the international consensus on nonproliferation and calls for protecting peaceful-use rights, particularly for developing countries.

"China hopes that all parties will actively support the draft resolution," Sun said.

Sun called for renewed dialogue and negotiations to address hot spot issues, with the agency acting objectively and strictly within its mandate.

"The Iranian nuclear issue must ultimately be properly resolved through diplomatic means," he said. "Resorting to force, sanctions and pressure will only exacerbate tensions and differences."

He said Iran should fulfill its commitment not to develop nuclear weapons as a nonnuclear-weapon state party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, or NPT, while its legitimate right to peaceful nuclear energy should be respected.

Grossi said the IAEA had completed most of the technical preparations needed to verify Iran's nuclear activities, expressing hope that negotiations between Tehran and Washington would produce an agreement, according to a UN news release.

"There will not be a lasting, stable solution without a diplomatic agreement", he said.

Speaking at the meeting, Iran's ambassador and deputy permanent representative to the UN Gholamhossein Darzi defended his country's right to develop nuclear energy, warning against the selective application of nonproliferation standards and political interference in the IAEA, according to a news release from the UN.

Turning to the AUKUS submarine cooperation, Sun said it "contravenes the object and purpose of the NPT, poses serious nuclear proliferation risks, and presents grave challenges to the Treaty and the IAEA safeguards system."

He urged an open, transparent, inclusive and sustainable intergovernmental process, based on equality and mutual respect, to seek a solution acceptable to all parties.

The General Assembly reaffirmed its strong support for the IAEA on Friday, adopting a resolution by 150 votes in favor to 2 against, with one abstention.