Beijing defends Tehran’s peaceful nuclear rights
Araghchi hails China, Russia as Iran’s strategic partners
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed Beijing’s support for indirect talks between Iran and the United States, recognizing the Islamic Republic’s right to use peaceful nuclear program ahead of its third round of high-stakes negotiations with Washington.
Wang said during a meeting with his visiting Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi in Beijing that his country opposes the use of force and “illegal” sanctions to try to resolve Iran’s nuclear issue.
“The Chinese side commends Iran’s promise not to develop nuclear weapons and respects Iran’s right to utilize nuclear energy peacefully,” he added.
The top diplomat also noted that China is willing to deepen coordination and cooperation with Iran on international and regional affairs.
Araghchi, for his part, hailed China as a friendly country, saying it played a very important and positive role in previous nuclear negotiations.
Both countries believe in resistance against the US hegemony and bullying in the global arena, he pointed out.
Touching on the indirect talks with the US, Araghchi said Iran is “cautiously optimistic” due to contradictory messages coming from the opposite side in the news and media.
“There are many differences. We will enter into negotiations seriously on Saturday, and if the other side is also serious, there is room for progress,” he emphasized.
“I have repeatedly said that if the Americans’ only demand is that Iran should not have nuclear weapons, this is achievable ..., but if they have other demands or impractical and illogical requests, then we will naturally run into problems.”
Later in a post on X, the Iranian foreign minister stressed that the country will continue to regard China as a “reliable partner worthy of trust” no matter how the international situation changes.
In the last two weeks, representatives from Iran and the US have engaged in two rounds of negotiations in Oman and Italy. The two sides are set to conduct expert-level technical negotiations on April 26.
China, Russia as Iran’s strategic partners
The Iranian foreign minister hailed China and Russia as the country’s two strategic partners and close friends, as he arrived in Beijing on Wednesday for consultations with top Chinese officials prior to the third round of indirect talks with the United States, which are mediated by Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi.
“China and Russia are two strategic partners and close friends who have stood by us in times of hardship. It is natural that we have continuous and constant consultations with them in various areas, especially now that discussions with the United States are held indirectly,” Abbas Araghchi told Iran’s state media in the Chinese capital.
“It is necessary that we keep our friends in China fully informed about ongoing matters and consult with them.”
Stressing that he had a similar meeting with senior Russian officials in Moscow last week, Araghchi expressed hope for good discussions in Beijing as he is to convey Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s message to Chinese authorities.
“China has played an important and constructive role in Iran’s nuclear issue in the past, and certainly this role needs to continue. We will keep our consultations with China as a member of the Security Council, a member of the [IAEA’s] Board of Governors, as well as a partner of the Islamic Republic of Iran and a country with a pedigree in nuclear matters,” the top Iranian diplomat said.
“China has always held constructive positions on the nuclear issue of Iran, and we appreciate China’s constructive and positive stance. Currently, China’s position upholds the ongoing negotiations, and they have also expressed readiness to assist and cooperate, the details of which we will discuss today,” he added.