Beijing has sought to position itself as a key player in negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program since President Trump called for talks with Tehran.
China and Russia joined Iran on Friday in calling on it to end Western sanctions after President Trump this week called for nuclear talks with Tehran, with both countries condemning the “threat of force”.
Following talks in Beijing with the deputy foreign ministers of Russia and Iran to discuss Iran's nuclear program, the Chinese government said the three countries agreed that all sides should “abandon sanctions, pressure and threats of force.”
It appeared to be a reference to Mr Trump’s recent efforts to mend fences with Iran. Mr Trump said last week that he had sent a letter to the Iranian government seeking to negotiate a deal that would prevent Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons. But he warned that the country would have to choose between curbing its rapidly expanding program or losing it to a military attack.
The meeting was the latest sign of Beijing's growing rapprochement with Moscow and Tehran and its ambition to become a key arbiter of international disputes. Earlier this week, the three countries held joint naval exercises in the Gulf of Oman.
China and Russia have a very different approach to Iran now than they did a decade ago. In 2015, they insisted on reaching an agreement with Iran to end its nuclear weapons program before lifting sanctions. Russia even took most of Iran’s nuclear fuel as part of that deal.
The United States is now seeking maximum political pressure with the threat of military action. But China and Russia are pursuing a more cooperative and conciliatory approach. That means the major powers are divided on how to approach Iran, which could give Tehran more diplomatic room to maneuver.
