BEIJING — China will host a meeting on Friday with Russia and Iran in Beijing to discuss Iran’s nuclear program, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced. Both nations are sending their deputy foreign ministers to the talks.
The meeting comes as Iran faces renewed scrutiny over its expanding uranium enrichment program. On the same day, the United Nations Security Council is set to hold a closed-door session in New York to discuss Iran’s growing stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels.
Strategic Alliances and Nuclear Concerns
Iran and Russia have strengthened ties since the start of the Ukraine war in 2022, signing a strategic cooperation treaty in January. Both countries maintain close relations with China.
Last week, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov discussed Iran’s nuclear program with Tehran’s ambassador to Moscow, Kazem Jalali. The talks followed reports that Russia had agreed to assist U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration in communicating with Iran.
Iran has long denied seeking nuclear weapons, but the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently warned that Tehran is “dramatically” increasing uranium enrichment to 60% purity—just short of the 90% needed for weapons-grade material.
Iran originally agreed to limit its nuclear activities under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the United States in exchange for sanctions relief. However, the deal unraveled after the U.S. withdrew in 2018 during Trump’s first term, prompting Iran to scale back its commitments.
China has expressed support for Iran’s “legitimate rights” and has called for the resumption of nuclear negotiations to restore the agreement.
