China, Russia, and Iran Demand End to U.S. Sanctions After Nuclear Talks in Beijing

In a significant diplomatic move, China, Russia, and Iran have called for the removal of what they term as "illegal, unilateral sanctions" on Iran following a series of high-level talks in Beijing on March 14. The discussions primarily focused on the Iranian nuclear issue and the ongoing tensions surrounding U.S. sanctions on Tehran.

The talks, which involved Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, were centered around resolving the nuclear standoff and addressing the impact of sanctions on Iran.

“We conducted in-depth exchanges of views on the nuclear issue and the lifting of sanctions. We emphasized the necessity of ending all illegal unilateral sanctions,” Ma Zhaoxu stated after the meeting. Both China and Russia, key players in the ongoing nuclear talks, have long criticized U.S. sanctions, which they argue have exacerbated tensions in the region and hindered diplomatic progress.

In response to the ongoing dispute, the Iranian government reiterated its stance that it will not engage in direct negotiations with the U.S. under President Donald Trump's "maximum pressure" campaign, which involves harsh sanctions aimed at isolating Tehran economically.

Iran’s relations with Russia and China have strengthened over the years, particularly as tensions between Tehran and Washington have escalated. While China has capitalized on discounted Iranian oil, and Russia has utilized Iranian drones in its military operations in Ukraine, both nations remain cautious about further escalating the crisis. Nephew pointed out that neither Russia nor China have a vested interest in a deeper conflict but are rather focused on avoiding a larger crisis that could destabilize the region further.

In addition to the diplomatic talks, the three countries held naval drills in the Gulf of Oman near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, signaling a show of force and unity in the face of increasing tensions in the Middle East. The drills, which included Iranian vessels stopping at Chabahar Port, highlighted the growing military cooperation between China, Russia, and Iran.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has been actively involved in the ongoing discussions, sending a letter to Iran through the UAE, urging Tehran to resume nuclear talks and warning of possible military action should Iran refuse. However, Iran’s Foreign Ministry stated that it would conduct a "thorough assessment" of the letter before deciding on a response.

The issue of Iran’s nuclear program has become more urgent following the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal under Trump’s administration. While the deal had imposed curbs on Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief, Trump argued that it was insufficient to prevent Iran from potentially developing nuclear weapons. Following the U.S. exit, Iran gradually expanded its nuclear program, which Tehran insists is strictly for peaceful purposes.

The United States and its allies, particularly the G7 nations, have continued to call for Iran to de-escalate tensions and refrain from developing nuclear weapons. On March 14, the G7 foreign ministers labeled Iran as the "principal source of regional instability," urging Tehran to abandon its nuclear ambitions and pursue diplomacy.