At a Jan. 15 UN Security Council meeting on Iran, the representatives of both China and Russia issued very sharp warnings to the United States against launching a new military attack on Iran, stating that this could push the entire region “towards a precipice.” Sun Lei, China’s Chargé d’Affaires at the United Nations, spoke to the group and said: “Any military action will only push the region towards a precipice. We strongly call upon the United States to observe the goals and principles of the UN Charter and to abandon their idée fixe of using force. We also call upon all parties to show restraint.”
A similar tone of urgency was struck by Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia, who stated: “We demand that the U.S. and its partners refrain from further reckless decisions and actions, including those concerning nuclear facilities. They should rather focus on providing solid assurances against further confrontation and resume joint efforts in search of possible solutions, inter alia with a view to addressing prejudices regarding Iran’s peaceful nuclear program. All this should be done on the basis of international law and the balance of interests of all parties concerned,” he said. Nebenzia then reiterated Russia’s standing offer to help find a negotiated solution to the Iran crisis, noting that Russia was “ready to provide all possible support” to such an effort.
