Politics
ASIA, AYATOLLAH ALI KHAMENEI, BEIJING, BRITAIN, CHINA, DONALD TRUMP, EUROPE, EUROPE/ASIA, FOREIGN POLICY, FRANCE, GHARIBABADI, IAEA, INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY, INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, IRAN, KA, MA, MEXICO, MIDDLE EAST, NORTH AMERICA, NUCLEAR POLICY, NUCLEAR WEAPONS, RUSSIA, SANCTIONS, SECURITY COUNCIL, TEHRAN, UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL, UNITED STATES, US, WESTERN SANCTIONS
Clara Montgomery
Russia and China Urge U.S. to Lift Iran Sanctions and Resume Nuclear Talks
Iran, Russia, and China have called on the U.S. to cease sanctions and restart nuclear talks in light of escalating tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear program, emphasizing the need for multilateral discussions. The involvement of Russia and China as UN Security Council members is deemed crucial for any future agreement. Despite pressure, Iranian leaders indicate some openness to negotiations under the right conditions.
Senior representatives from Iran, Russia, and China have jointly urged the United States administration to revoke its sanctions against Iran, which are deemed unlawful, and to resume multilateral nuclear negotiations. This announcement was made during a meeting involving China’s Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov Sergey Alexeevich, and Iran’s Ambassador Kazem Gharibabadi. They highlighted the importance of ceasing unilateral pressures and emphasized the need to eliminate the underlying causes of the current tensions.
The discussions are viewed as constructive by Iran, as expressed by Gharibabadi, who criticized external influences that have exacerbated the crisis surrounding Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. On that same day, a meeting was scheduled between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and the senior diplomats from the three nations. This dialogue marks a new effort to address the ongoing standoff regarding Iran’s nuclear program, especially in light of the Trump administration’s attempts to engage with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Significantly, the support of Russia and China is crucial for any future discussions with the Trump administration, given their positions as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. The Security Council’s approval had previously facilitated the implementation of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which was unilaterally abandoned by President Trump in 2018, resulting in escalating tensions across the Middle East. Under the original terms of the deal, Iran was limited in its uranium enrichment capabilities.
Despite insisting that its nuclear program is peaceful, Iran has faced economic devastation as a result of U.S. sanctions, which have also led to public dissent over various issues. President Trump recently attempted to initiate contact with Khamenei, suggesting negotiations while simultaneously hinting at potential military action. However, Khamenei dismissed the overture, expressing that he would not engage with what he described as a ‘bullying government’ that had previously reneged on a significant agreement. Although Iran’s leadership has maintained a tough stance, some Iranian officials have signaled a possible willingness to negotiate, marking a complex diplomatic scenario moving forward.
In summary, the joint call by Iran, Russia, and China for the United States to lift sanctions and resume nuclear negotiations underscores the escalating complexity surrounding Iran’s nuclear ambitions. The collaboration among these nations highlights the significance of multilateral diplomacy in addressing the regional tensions that have arisen since the withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear agreement. As the geopolitical landscape evolves, the interactions between these powers may shape future diplomatic efforts.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
Post Comment