(AFP) – China urged an end to “illegal” sanctions on Iran as it hosted Iranian and Russian diplomats on Friday for talks. Beijing hopes these discussions will restart long-stalled negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear programme. The United States withdrew from a landmark 2015 deal, which imposed curbs on Tehran’s nuclear development in return for sanctions relief, during US President Donald Trump’s first term.
The Republican president has called for a new nuclear deal with Iran since his return to the White House in January, but Tehran says no such agreement is possible as long as punishing sanctions remain in place. The effort to secure a pact was given new urgency last month when the UN nuclear watchdog stated that Iran had significantly increased its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
Beijing hosted Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov for talks on Friday, which it said would help “resume dialogue and negotiation at an early time.” Meeting with the diplomats, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed that “the comprehensive agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue is an important achievement achieved through dialogue and negotiation.”
“Now the situation has reached a critical juncture again. We must buy time for peace, resolve disputes through political and diplomatic means, and oppose the use of force and illegal sanctions,” he said. Wang emphasized that the US should demonstrate “political sincerity and return to talks at an early date,” according to a statement from Beijing’s foreign ministry, which outlined propositions from China regarding the Iranian nuclear issue.
“All parties should… refrain from actions that might escalate the situation,” the statement added.
In turn, Gharibabadi hailed the “constructive” talks in Beijing, stating that Iran’s nuclear programme “is peaceful in nature.” “Our nuclear programme has never been diverted to non-peaceful purposes,” he said. However, he added, “Unfortunately, some countries are trying to create an unnecessary crisis in this regard.” Gharibabadi reiterated that “the main root cause of the current situation is the unilateral withdrawal of the United States.”
The Russian and Iranian officials met China’s Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu earlier in the day, where they “exchanged views on the Iran nuclear issue and other issues of common concern,” according to Chinese state media. Ma reiterated after that meeting China’s support for “political and diplomatic engagement and dialogue based on mutual respect.” He emphasized the necessity of ending all illegal, unilateral sanctions.
Ma told reporters, “The relevant parties should work to eliminate the root causes of the current situation and abandon sanctions, pressure, and threats of the use of force.” Iran’s ambassador to China later announced on the social media platform X that the meeting was a “complete success.” The talks resulted in important agreements on “trilateral cooperation on important international issues, including the need for the three countries to cooperate in confronting” US sanctions, he said.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated on Friday that “it is necessary to further continue diplomatic efforts” regarding Iran’s nuclear programme, condemning the “illegal” sanctions against Tehran.
Trump has reinstated his “maximum pressure” policy of sanctions against Iran, mirroring his approach during his first term. This week, he sent a letter to Tehran urging nuclear talks and warning of possible military action if Iran refuses. Tehran stated that the letter, which Trump claimed was addressed to Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was currently “being reviewed.”
“Ultimately, the United States should lift the sanctions,” said Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in an interview published by the government’s official newspaper on Thursday. Washington upped its pressure campaign that day by imposing sanctions on Iranian Petroleum Minister Mohsen Paknejad. The US Treasury Department also blacklisted the owners or operators of vessels it stated were engaged in transporting Iranian oil to China.
A report from the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in February indicated that Iran had significantly increased its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to 60 percent purity—a short step from the 90 percent needed for a nuclear weapon. Khamenei stated this week that Iran “does not have nuclear weapons” and is “not seeking” them. Tehran has long maintained that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes.
– Ludovic Ehret and Oliver Hotham
© 2024 AFP
