CHINA URGED NOT TO DELIVER A NATIONAL STATEMENT ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 000548 STATE FOR EAP/CM STATE FOR ISN/RA: RICHARD NEPHEW, BRECK HEIDLBERG E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/04/2025 TAGS: PARM EMIN TRGY ETTC MNUC KNNP PREL CH IR SUBJECT: CHINA URGED NOT TO DELIVER A NATIONAL STATEMENT ON IRAN AT IAEA BOARD OF GOVERNORS REF: STATE 19806 Classified By: Political Section Regional Unit Chief Mark Lambert. Rea sons 1.4 (B/D). ¶1. (C) PolOff delivered reftel demarche urging China to not deliver a national statement on Iran at the IAEA Board of Governors meeting to MFA Department of Arms Control and Disarmament Department Nuclear Division Deputy Director Shen Jian on the morning of March 4. Shen noted previous receipt by China of reftel demarche in both Washington and at China's IAEA mission, and said China would "coordinate with the United States and other P5-plus-1 nations" in Vienna before deciding whether to deliver its statement. ¶2. (C) Shen continued by adding that, if China decided to proceed, the statement would be "completely" in line with the P5-plus-1 joint statement by: "taking notice of the Director General's report and Iran's lack of cooperation"; appealing for the dispute to "be resolved through diplomatic means and negotiation"; and urging Iran to "fully implement and comply with all relevant IAEA and UN resolutions." PICCUTA