Beijing urged an end to what it termed “illegal” sanctions on Iran as it hosted senior Iranian and Russian diplomats for discussions aimed at reviving stalled negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear program.
The United States withdrew from the landmark 2015 nuclear agreement—which imposed restrictions on Iran’s nuclear development in exchange for sanctions relief—during former President Donald Trump’s first term. Since returning to office in January, Trump has advocated for a new deal, but Iran insists that meaningful negotiations cannot proceed while punitive sanctions remain in place.
Concerns over Iran’s nuclear program intensified after the UN’s nuclear watchdog reported last month that Tehran had significantly expanded its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
China hosted Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, hoping the discussions would pave the way for renewed diplomatic engagement.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized that the nuclear agreement remains a crucial achievement of diplomatic negotiations. “We are at a critical juncture. It is imperative to allow time for peaceful solutions, resolve disputes through diplomacy, and oppose the use of force and unilateral sanctions,” Wang stated. He also urged the U.S. to demonstrate “political sincerity” by rejoining negotiations.
A statement from China’s Foreign Ministry urged all parties to avoid actions that could escalate tensions.
Gharibabadi described the discussions as “constructive,” reiterating that Iran’s nuclear program is intended for peaceful purposes. He accused certain countries of attempting to create an “unnecessary crisis” and blamed the current situation on the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear agreement.
The Iranian and Russian envoys also met with China’s Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu, exchanging views on the nuclear issue and other shared concerns. Ma reaffirmed China’s commitment to diplomacy based on mutual respect and called for an end to “unilateral and illegal sanctions.”
Iran’s ambassador to China later described the meeting as a “complete success,” highlighting trilateral cooperation against U.S. sanctions. The Kremlin also voiced support for ongoing diplomatic efforts and condemned economic restrictions imposed on Tehran.
Meanwhile, Washington has intensified pressure on Iran, reinstating Trump’s “maximum pressure” strategy. This week, Trump sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, urging negotiations and warning of possible military consequences. Iranian officials stated they were reviewing the message.
On the same day, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed fresh sanctions on Iran’s petroleum minister and entities involved in shipping Iranian oil to China.
A February report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) revealed that Iran had significantly increased its uranium enrichment levels, nearing the threshold required for nuclear weapons. However, Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei reiterated this week that the country is not pursuing nuclear arms, maintaining that its program remains peaceful.
