In Taipei, Taiwan, representatives from China, Russia, and Iran called for the cessation of U.S. sanctions imposed on Iran due to its advancing nuclear program, advocating for a restart of multinational discussions surrounding the issue. This development arises amid ongoing efforts to address the matter following U.S. President Donald Trump’s outreach to Iran’s supreme leader in a bid to initiate dialogue.
While details of Trump’s letter to Iran remain unpublished, it was reportedly offered alongside new sanctions against Iran as part of a broader “maximum pressure” campaign. This campaign implied a readiness for potential military action but also suggested the possibility of negotiating a new agreement, something Trump believed was achievable.
During a meeting on Friday, the three nations emphasized the importance of ending what they termed “unlawful unilateral sanctions.” China’s Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu, with Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov Sergey Alexeevich and Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi at his side, stressed that political and diplomatic engagement marked by mutual respect is the only feasible path forward.
Later in the day, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was scheduled to engage with these representatives. However, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has openly derided Trump’s endeavors, declaring disinterest in negotiations with a “bullying government,” despite mixed signals from Iranian officials regarding talks. An earlier letter from Trump to Khamenei in 2019 had seemingly little effect on easing the escalating tensions.
Both China and Russia are permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and were signatories to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, along with France, Britain, Germany, and the European Union. Trump’s decision to withdraw the U.S. from this accord in 2018 has since fueled prolonged conflicts and tensions across the Middle East.
China and Russia maintain particularly close ties with Iran, bolstered by energy agreements, and Iran has been supplying Russia with bomb-carrying drones amid its conflict with Ukraine. These nations are perceived to share a common interest in reducing the influence of the U.S. and other democratic nations on global affairs, favoring their own authoritarian approaches.
Iran asserts its nuclear ambitions remain peaceful, though its enrichment of uranium to nearly weapons-grade levels of 60% raises concerns. Notably, no other nation without a declared nuclear weapons program enriches uranium to such a degree. The original nuclear deal allowed Iran to enrich uranium only up to a 3.67% purity and maintain limited uranium reserves. Nevertheless, the latest data from the International Atomic Energy Agency reported Iran’s stockpile at a significant 8,294.4 kilograms, with some enriched to 60% purity.
Despite maintaining a stance against negotiating under pressure, Iran’s economy continues to suffer under U.S. sanctions. Domestic protests focusing on women’s rights, economic conditions, and governance issues have recently challenged Iranian leadership.
China, keen on increasing its influence in Middle Eastern politics, facilitated discussions leading to the restoration of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran just last year.
