By Deutsche Welle (Asia) | Created at 2025-03-14 06:50:27 | Updated at 2025-03-14 12:45:30
6 hours ago
Diplomats from China, Russiaand Iranmet in Beijing on Friday for discussions on Tehran's nuclear issues, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported.
China hopes that the talks will help resume long-stalled negotiations on Iran's nuclear program.
In 2015, Iran reached a landmark deal with the US, Russia, China, Germany, Britain and France, which imposed curbs on Tehran's nuclear development in exchange for sanctions relief.
Washington withdrew from the pact during President Donald Trump's first term in 2018.
Iran stuck to the deal for a year after the US exit but then began setting aside its commitments.
What we know about the talks
Friday's talks involve China's Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi.
CCTV reported that the senior diplomats "exchanged views on the Iran nuclear issue and other issues of common concern," without giving any further details.
Beijing said that it hopes that the talks "strengthen communication and coordination, to resume dialogue and negotiation at an early time".
Pressure from Trump
The meeting comes days after Iran rejected what it said were US "orders" to resume dialogue on its nuclear program.
Trump said last week that he has proposed nuclear talks in a letter to Iran's Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The US President added that "there are two ways Iran can be handled: militarily,or you make a deal".
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in response that he would not negotiate with Washington while being "threatened", and Iran would not bow to US "orders" to talk.
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Edited by: Kieran Burke
