Chinese, Iranian, Russian Diplomats Hold Talks on Iran’s Nuclear Program
AFP/APP
Beijing: Diplomats from China, Russia, and Iran met on Friday for discussions aimed at reviving stalled negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear program, Chinese state media reported.
The meeting follows years of uncertainty surrounding the 2015 nuclear deal, which imposed restrictions on Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.
The United States withdrew from the agreement during President Donald Trump’s first term, prompting Iran to gradually roll back its commitments. Efforts to restore the deal have since stalled.
China’s Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi attended the talks.
According to a readout from Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, the diplomats “exchanged views on the Iran nuclear issue and other matters of mutual concern.”
Further details were not disclosed.
Beijing expressed hopes that the discussions would “strengthen communication and coordination to resume dialogue and negotiations at an early date.”
Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has reinstated his “maximum pressure” sanctions on Iran, similar to his approach during his first term. He has called for new negotiations, but Tehran has refused direct talks while sanctions remain in place.
This week, Trump sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urging nuclear talks and warning of possible military action if Tehran refuses. Iran confirmed Thursday that the letter is “under review.”
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated in an interview published Thursday that Iran would only engage in direct negotiations if sanctions are lifted and discussions take place on an “equal footing, free from pressure and threats.”
A February report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) revealed that Iran had significantly increased its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to 60 percent purity, nearing the 90 percent threshold required for nuclear weapons.
However, Khamenei reiterated this week that Iran “does not have nuclear weapons” and is “not seeking” them.
