Beijing (TDI): Representatives of China, Russia and Iran called Friday for an end to US sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program and a restart to multinational talks on the issue.
The possibility of negotiations with the United States and allies over Iran’s nuclear program was the agenda of the meeting.
Earlier, Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia, Sergei Ryabkov, and his Iranian counterpart Kazem Gharibabadi, reached Beijing to attend the meeting, hosted by China’s Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu.
Both China and Russia stood by Tehran and maintained that any resumption of dialogue between Iran and the United States must be based on mutual respect.
They supported Iran’s rights to peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
They maintained that Iran must be respected and that the US cannot force Tehran to enter into negotiations.
They also supported Iran’s position that its nuclear program is peaceful.
Prior to the meeting, China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning told the media, “In the current situation, we believe that all parties should maintain calm and restraint to avoid escalating the Iran nuclear situation, or even walking towards confrontation and conflict.”
After Trump’s letter to the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in which he signaled resumptions of talks over Iran’s nuclear program, Iran has maintained a firm stance that it will not bow down to threats.
Read More: Iran Rejects Direct Talks with US on Nuclear Issue
Iran shares a close strategic partnership with both Russia and China.
After a closed-door meeting of United Nations Security Council’s (UNSC) six members last week to discuss Iran’s nuclear program, Iran reacted strongly.
The current meeting between Russia, China, and Iran is eyed for possible outcomes that may pave way for reopening of negotiations.
After Trump unilaterally revoked the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in 2018, the nuclear deal in which sanctions were lifted from Iran in return for curbs on its nuclear program, Iran slowly began to withdraw from its commitments.
It maintains a clear position that it is not developing nuclear weapons and does not intend to but the US is now keen to open the negotiations again in view of the reports of International Atomic Energy Agency.
These reports say that Iran is enriching uranium at weapons-grade level.
