As tensions over Iran’s nuclear program escalate, China, Iran, and Russia are working together to address concerns and find a peaceful resolution.
China, Iran, and Russia Discuss Nuclear Program Amid Shifting International Environment
Under pressure from the U.S. and a shifting international environment, China hosted Iranian and Russian officials to discuss Iran’s nuclear program, demonstrate solidarity, and possibly align their positions in dealing with the West.
The Iran nuclear program is a highly debated topic, with various countries and organizations expressing concerns about its potential military applications.
The program began in the 1950s, with the help of Western powers, but was suspended in 1979 following the 'Islamic Revolution'.
In 2002, Iran announced the enrichment of uranium, sparking international alarm.
The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal, was implemented in 2015 to curb Iran's nuclear activities.
However, the US withdrawal from the agreement in 2018 led to renewed tensions.
The meeting between Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov, and Iranian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi aimed to address concerns over sanctions lifting and the latest developments on Iran’s nuclear program. The three nations issued a joint statement, reiterating that political and diplomatic dialogue based on mutual respect is the only effective and practical option.
The importance of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Program for Action (JCPOA) was also reaffirmed during the meeting. This deal requires Iran to curb its nuclear programs in exchange for sanctions relief. ‘peacefully develop nuclear energy’ and promote ‘the nuclear non-proliferation regime’ , according to Wu Bingbing, director of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at Peking University.
However, Zhao Tong, a nuclear weapons expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, highlights recent developments that have heightened the sense of urgency over the Iran nuclear issue. The approaching deadline in October, when remaining members of the previous Iranian nuclear deal with the JCPOA would still have the right to trigger comprehensive economic sanctions on Iran, is a pressing concern.
Iran sanctions refer to economic penalties imposed by countries, primarily led by the United States, on Iran due to its nuclear program and human rights concerns.
These sanctions restrict Iran's access to international trade, finance, and technology.
The sanctions were first implemented in 1979 after the Iranian Revolution and have been renewed several times since then.
They have had a significant impact on Iran's economy, causing inflation, unemployment, and a decline in living standards.
Furthermore, the International Atomic Energy Agency’s report that Iran accelerated its enrichment of uranium to near weapons-grade levels beyond what’s required for peaceful energy production adds to the complexity. Recent Israeli airstrikes have also degraded Iranian air defense capabilities, creating an important window of opportunity for Israel and the United States to use military means to destroy Iranian nuclear facilities.
Zhao argues that China, Iran, and Russia are ‘like-minded’ nations sharing common interests and geostrategic objectives. They face a U.S. president who is trying to negotiate a deal with Russia over Ukraine, locked in a trade war with China, and has told Tehran to negotiate or face possible military action. This situation creates a natural interest for the three nations to coordinate their positions before engaging with Western countries.
The United States and Iran have a complex history of diplomatic tensions, with periods of cooperation and conflict.
The two nations first established formal relations in 1953, but the relationship deteriorated following the '1979 Iranian Revolution'.
Sanctions were imposed on Iran in 1995 due to its nuclear program, and tensions escalated after the US invasion of Iraq in 2003.
In 2015, the 'Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)' was signed, easing sanctions in exchange for Iran's nuclear concessions.
However, the US withdrew from the agreement in 2018, reinstating sanctions and further straining relations.
As tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear program continue to escalate, it remains to be seen how China, Iran, and Russia will work together to address these concerns and find a peaceful resolution.
