Iran, China and Russia are set to discuss the threat of sanctions and its nuclear program in a meeting in Tehran on Tuesday, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).
Newsweek has reached out to the U.S. State Department for comment.
Why It Matters
Iran is actively seeking support from Russia and China in the aftermath of U.S. airstrikes that damaged key nuclear facilities during a 12-day conflict with Israel last month.
The meeting comes during ongoing tensions over Iran‘s nuclear program and stalled talks with the United States. President Donald Trump said he would hit Iranian nuclear sites again “if necessary,” reiterating his warning to Tehran that it should abandon its ambitions to keep enriching uranium — which Iran has said it will not agree to.
What To Know
“We are in constant consultation with these two countries to prevent activation of the snapback or to mitigate its consequences,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei said at a press briefing on Monday in reference to a snapback mechanism for sanctions if there is no deal on Iran’s nuclear program. “We have aligned positions and good relations,” he was quoted as saying by Iran International outlet.
Iran and Russia have launched joint naval drills this week in the Caspian Sea, while top Iranian officials, including Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh and senior adviser Ali Larijani, met with Russia’s leadership and President Vladimir Putin in Moscow this week.
Iran’s army announced a heightened state of readiness, warning it would deliver a “crushing and devastating response” to any future strikes on its military or nuclear installations.
In 2015, Iran and several world powers including France, the United Kingdom, and Germany, signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), an agreement aimed at limiting Tehran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. The JCPOA is set to expire in October. The U.S. exited the accord in 2018 under Trump, reimposing sanctions.
Tehran says its program is civilian, but the U.S. and ally Israel accuse it of seeking nuclear weapons. “We cannot give up enrichment because it is an achievement of our own scientists. And now, more than that, it is a question of national pride,” Araghchi told Fox News‘ Bret Baier on Monday.
What People Are Saying
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told a press briefing Monday, as quoted by IRNA: “The Iranian nuclear issue is concerned with peace and security in the Middle East and is also concerned with the international non-proliferation regime. We always believe a diplomatic approach should be used to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue, and this is the only right way. We call on all parties to walk in the same direction and contribute to the political settlement track of the Iranian nuclear issue.”
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in a letter to UN and EU representatives: “The E3 must heed their own advice to the US in their letter of 20 Aug 2020 and “refrain from any action that would only deepen divisions in the Security Council or that would have serious adverse consequences on its work.”
Russia Foreign Ministry on Sunday: “At the instruction of the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Ali Larijani presented the views of the Islamic Republic on the current escalation in the Middle East and, notably, surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme. The Russian Side expressed support for stabilising the situation in the region and resolving any issues pertaining to Iran’s nuclear programme via political means.”
What Happens Next
Tehran will meet with France, Britain, and Germany (E3) in Istanbul on Friday for renewed nuclear talks. The continued standoff over itrs nuclear program increases the risk of further military action by Israel or the United States.
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