China supports Iran in nuclear talks, and threatens the “threat of power” from the West

China and Russia joined Iran on Friday to urge it to end Western sanctions after President Trump contacted this week with nuclear talks with Tehran, where both countries condemned the “threat of power.”

After talks in Beijing with the deputy foreign ministers of Russia and Iran to discuss the Iranian nuclear program, the Chinese government said that the three countries had agreed that all parties “must abandon sanctions, pressure and threats by force.”

This seems to refer to the recent initiatives presented by Mr. Trump towards Iran. Mr. Trump said last week that he sent a message to the Iranian government, which is seeking to negotiate a deal to prevent Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. But he warned that the country You must choose Between curbing its diverse rapid program and its loss in a military attack.

The meeting was the last sign of Beijing’s document alignment with Moscow and Tehran, and its ambition to become a major arbitrator of international conflicts. Earlier this week, the three countries held joint naval exercises in the Gulf of Amman.

China and Russia take a completely different approach to Iran now than it was a decade ago. In 2015, they insisted on reaching a deal with Iran first to stop the nuclear weapons program before ending the sanctions. Russia even took a lot of Iranian nuclear fuel stock as part of this arrangement.

The United States is now seeking to obtain the maximum political pressure by threatening military action. But China and Russia are following a more cooperative and confined approach. This means that the major powers are divided on how to approach Iran, which may give Tehran more diplomatic space for maneuvering.

“Russia and China also refer to other countries that there are alternatives to the leadership of the United States-that Moscow and Beijing are responsible global actors that can face major global challenges such as nuclear weapons,” said Andrea Kendall Taylor, a senior colleague of a new American research center, Washington’s research group.

The most important part of the Iranian program is the production of potential nuclear weapons materials that have been fertilized to 60 percent of purity, which is approximately bombs. It may take a week or so to turn it into 90 percent purity for use in bombs that produce large nuclear bombings. Experts believe that Iran may now have enough six weapons.

Russia and China have not made a plan to remove or reduce the Iranian offer of potential nuclear weapons. They also did not address Iran’s most advanced centrifugal installation, which will increase the volume of fertilized materials in the country.

Iranian government He said in late November It will start operating the advanced centrifugal to enrich more uranium, which may bring it closer to the presence of a nuclear weapon.

Wang Yi, Chinese Foreign Minister, issued a five -point plan to address the Iranian nuclear program. During the call to end sanctions against Iran, the plan also urged Iran to “continue to commit to its commitment to not develop nuclear weapons.”

“While the United States irresponsible with the Iranian nuclear agreement, China will also hold on this international commitment and takes responsibility for leadership.”

The message is also one of the solidarity with Iran. “Although the United States is exerting pressure, as long as Iran does not give up its relevant obligations, it will still have friends,” said Mr. Shin. “Iran does not need worry. In the end, this is a strategic game between China and the United States.”

Iran’s supreme leader last week He criticized “bullying governments” It appears to be back away from the idea of ​​negotiating with the United States.

Supporting China and Russia Iran can help be less isolated, but Tehran may also have concerns.

Moscow said: “The Iranians, for their part, are very warned against the Chinese, but in particular the Russian participation in negotiations, because they are afraid that they will be sold by Moscow as part of a broader agreement for the United States,” said Moscow. Gregory ProA great analyst in the Eurasia Group. “They will search for support from Russia while resisting any pressure to surrender to the American demands.”

China has a significant lifting on Iran: Chinese companies bought more than 90 percent of Iranian oil exports last year, and are often deep discounts on international prices, according to KPLER, a company based in Vienna specialized in tracking Iranian oil shipments. Most other countries have declined to buy oil from Iran, in compliance with the western -led sanctions aimed at persuading Iran to stop the development of nuclear weapons.

The sales of the Iranian government oil company to China represented about 6 percent of Iran’s entire economy, or half of government spending in Iran.

David E. Sanger It contributed to the reports from Washington and David Pearson From Beijing.