Li Song, China's permanent representative to the IAEA, meets with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, Russian envoy Mikhail Ulyanov and Iranian envoy Reza Najafi in Vienna, Austria, on April 24, 2025.
China respects Iran’s right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and supports the Islamic Republic in conducting dialogue with all parties, including the United States to safeguard its legitimate rights, a Chinese envoy says.
Li Song, China's permanent representative to the IAEA, made the remarks on Thursday following a joint meeting with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, Iran’s ambassador to United Nations organizations in the Austrian capital Vienna, Reza Najafi, and his Russian counterpart Mikhail Ulyanov.
He also said Beijing supports the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in playing a constructive role in facilitating a political and diplomatic settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue.
During the meeting, senior diplomats from Iran, Russia, and China said mutual respect and diplomatic engagement remain the only viable and practical path for resolving the nuclear issue.
The three countries said the IAEA and its chief possess the necessary potential and expertise to contribute constructively to this process, with the goal of supporting diplomatic efforts and addressing the issue in a positive and practical manner.
Li said China is willing to further enhance communication and cooperation with Russia, Iran, and the IAEA to inject positive momentum into diplomatic efforts aimed at positively addressing the matter.
He said Beijing and Moscow have thrown their weight behind Iran’s bids to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with the UN nuclear agency.
China acknowledges Iran’s pledge not to pursue nuclear weapons, respects its right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and supports Iran in conducting dialogue with all parties, including the United States, to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests through consultation and negotiation, the Chinese envoy said.
The Thursday meeting was held ahead of a third round of indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States, which is scheduled to be held in Muscat, Oman, on April 26.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and United States President Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff led two rounds of indirect talks on Iran’s nuclear program and the termination of US sanctions in Muscat and the Italian capital, Rome, on April 12 and 19.
The talks were mediated by Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad al-Busaidi.
Expert-level discussions on the technical details of a potential replacement to the 2015 nuclear deal were originally scheduled for April 23. However they were postponed to April 26, the date set for the third round of the indirect negotiations.
