For Peace's Sake: China Suggests Iran Cooperate with Nuclear Report
China urges Iran to cooperate with the United Nations’ report of its nuclear program to maintain peaceful relations with the international community.
The U.N. International Atomic Energy Agency is expected to release a report documenting Iran’s nuclear weapon collection by next week. The international community anxiously awaits the report’s release.
Britain, France, Israel, and the United States suspect Iran is producing atomic weapons under the façade of a civilian nuclear energy program.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
The IAEA will provide a detailed report of Iran’s nuclear armament while “stopping short of saying explicitly that Tehran is trying to build such weapons,” according to Reuters.
In a daily news briefing, China’s Foreign Ministry Representative Hong Lei urged Iran to cooperate with the stipulations of the report to avoid international conflict.
“China opposes the use of force or the threat of the use of force in international affairs. At present, avoiding any new upheaval in the Middle East is extremely important," said Hong.
Both the U.S. and Israel have implied that they may use force to stop Iran’s nuclear production.
A leak in Israel’s security council has led the Israeli media to stipulate a potential preemptive strike on Iran, should the IAEA report reveal the production of dangerous weapons.
On Wednesday, Israel successfully tested a long-range missile that many believe could carry a nuclear warhead to Iran.
“Bad things tend to get worse if they're not challenged early. Iranian leaders talk about Israel's destruction or disappearance while simultaneously creating weapons to ensure its disappearance,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Reporter Jeffrey Goldberg in 2009.
Iran’s suspected nuclear weapon production could unwillingly throw the U.S. back into the mix of Middle Eastern affairs from which it is trying to sever.
President Obama announced Oct. 21 that by January 2012, all U.S. troops would be removed from Iraq, adding that Iraqis will now be responsible for their own security.
Hong contends that China will pursue a “constructive role” in finding a peaceful solution to the nuclear weapon dilemma.
Iran is currently bogged down with various international issues. The U.S. recently blamed Iran’s Quds rebel forces for backing a terrorist plot on Washington D.C.
Iran is also under fire in the international community for allegedly violating the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in the court case of Christian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani.
Due to its current unpopularity in the international community, Hong suggested that Iran maintain flexibility and cooperation with the U.N.
