Russia, China and Iran to Hold Nuclear Talks

Russia, China, and Iran will meet in Beijing today to discuss the Iranian nuclear issue.

Although Iran maintains that it has no desire to obtain nuclear weapons, Iran has been found to have enriched Uranium up to 60%: below the 90% required to construct a nuclear weapon but far above the 20% needed for any civilian uses. US President Trump sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday on the topic of reopening nuclear negotiations, but Khamenei has said he will not negotiate with “bullying governments.” The UN Security Council (UNSC) also met on Wednesday to discuss the development of the Iranian nuclear issue and the possible reimposition of sanctions on Iran. 

The UNSC meeting may result in the EU reimposing sanctions and other states joining the US’s maximum pressure policy. Sanctions have worked in the past, bringing Iran to the negotiating table in 2015 and leading to the Iran nuclear deal. On the other hand, Russia and China have both opposed Western sanctions on Iran and have advocated for diplomatic solutions. The two states may offer economic and military benefits to disincentivize Iranian nuclear activity. Today’s meeting demonstrates the growing relationship between the three countries as well as Russia and China’s interest in the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons despite this relationship. Reaching a new nuclear deal similar to the one from 2015 is unlikely, considering the tensions between the US and Iran. Despite international pressure and discussions with Russia and China, Iran appears
ready to continue accelerating its nuclear activity.