
UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- The "snapback" mechanism on UN sanctions against Iran shall not be deemed as invoked despite a purported U.S. notification to the Security Council, said a Chinese envoy on Tuesday.
The United States is no longer a participant of the Iran nuclear deal. Participants of the deal and the overwhelming majority of Security Council members believe that the U.S. demand for restoring UN sanctions on Iran has no legal ground and goes against common views, and the snapback mechanism shall not be deemed as invoked, said Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations.
China resolutely opposes the U.S. demand and holds the view that the U.S. letter submitted on Thursday should not be identified as "notification" specified in Security Council Resolution 2231, he told a Security Council meeting.
Under Resolution 2231, which endorsed the Iran nuclear deal, any participant state to the deal can notify the Security Council about an issue that it considers a significant violation of the agreement. The UN sanctions in place before the adoption of Resolution 2231 in July 2015 would then resume 30 days after the notification, unless the Security Council adopts a resolution to decide otherwise.
The United States withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal in May 2018, thus losing its status as a participant state to the agreement.
Zhang asked the president of the Security Council not to take any action on the U.S. demand. "The council should fully respect views of the international community and the overwhelming majority of council members, uphold its credibility and authority, and fulfill its responsibility of maintaining international peace and security."
China attaches great importance to the Iran nuclear issue. It is committed to upholding multilateralism, safeguarding the international nuclear non-proliferation regime and maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East, said Zhang. "We stand ready to work with other parties to push forward the political settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue."
Fire brigade in Shanghai holds group wedding
Tourists enjoy ice sculptures in Datan Town, north China
Sunset scenery of Dayan Pagoda in Xi'an
Tourists have fun at scenic spot in Nanlong Town, NW China
Harbin attracts tourists by making best use of ice in winter
In pics: FIS Alpine Ski Women's World Cup Slalom
Black-necked cranes rest at reservoir in Lhunzhub County, Lhasa
China's FAST telescope will be available to foreign scientists in April
"She power" plays indispensable role in poverty alleviation
Top 10 world news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 China news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 media buzzwords of 2020
Year-ender:10 major tourism stories of 2020
No interference in Venezuelan issues
Biz prepares for trade spat
Broadcasting Continent
Australia wins Chinese CEOs as US loses