The United States and its allies clashed with the representatives of Russia and China over Iran during a United Nations Security Council session, detikNews reports. Moscow and Beijing defended Tehran in the exchange, according to CNN Indonesia, while Western countries pressed to bring Iran's nuclear file before the Council.
The push followed a warning from the International Atomic Energy Agency about nuclear access in Iran, Serambinews.com reports. Western states used that warning to argue for a Security Council referral.
China's representative told the session that a political and diplomatic settlement is the way out of the Iranian nuclear issue, according to CGTN. On the Iranian side, Major General Rezaei said the IAEA's political approach could push countries to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Pars Today reports.
The debate reflects a long-running split over how to handle Iran's nuclear program. Western governments have sought to escalate the matter through the Security Council, while Russia and China have argued against that route and in favor of negotiation. The IAEA's concerns about access have given the Western push fresh momentum, though the positions of the major powers remain far apart.
The next step would be any formal move by Western states to advance a Security Council referral, and how Russia and China respond to it.
