China and Iran to have Significant Talks Prior to US-Iran Nuclear Talks
China said it will have serious and meaningful discussions with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on his visit this week. The talks will center on enhancing greater political trust and discussing pressing international and regional issues.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun stated that the two nations will discuss their relationship and key issues concerning the region and the world.
Araghchi’s visit to China comes just before the next round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States. China was part of the original 2015 nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which limited Iran’s nuclear activities. However, the US pulled out of the deal in 2018 under President Donald Trump, leading Iran to stop following some of its rules.
Despite ongoing US sanctions, China is Iran’s largest trading partner and purchases most of its oil — 92% of Iran’s exports go to China, usually at below-market rates.
Iran and China signed a 25-year cooperation agreement in 2021. Under this agreement, they will cooperate on energy, infrastructure, communications, and security.
China extolled its age-old friendship with Iran and stated the two nations respect and back one another. Guo Jiakun also noted that their relationship maintains peace and stability within the region and globally.
There were conflicting signals regarding the date of Araghchi’s visit — Iran stated that it would commence on Tuesday, while China stated that it would start on Wednesday.
Western nations have been accusing Iran of attempting to establish nuclear weapons but deny the existence of such assertions. The proposed nuclear negotiations want to seek peace and restore the agreement.
