China pushes back against US on Iran and Cuba in UN speech - Reuters

In a United Nations forum, a senior United States official delivered a speech that highlighted concerns over Iran’s nuclear activities, its alleged support for Russia’s war in Ukraine, and the human‑rights situation in Cuba. The remarks were part of a broader U.S. effort to draw attention to what it described as destabilising actions by the three countries.

China responded directly to the U.S. statements, characterising them as an intrusion into the internal affairs of sovereign states. Beijing argued that the United Nations should not be used as a platform for political targeting and warned that such practices undermine the principle of non‑interference that underpins the multilateral system.

In its rebuttal, the Chinese delegation emphasized that Iran’s nuclear programme is a matter for Tehran and the International Atomic Energy Agency, and that the United States has repeatedly politicised the issue. Regarding Cuba, China contended that the U.S. narrative overlooks the progress made by the Cuban government and accused Washington of applying double standards by singling out the island nation while ignoring similar concerns elsewhere.

Chinese officials also called on all parties to engage in dialogue and to resolve disputes through diplomatic channels rather than public denunciations. They reiterated support for the United Nations’ role in fostering peaceful cooperation and urged the United States to respect the sovereignty of other nations.

The exchange reflects ongoing diplomatic friction between the United States and China at the UN, with both sides maintaining their respective positions on Iran, Cuba and broader geopolitical issues, and signaling that the debate over these matters is likely to continue in future multilateral discussions.