China and Russia discuss Iran nuclear issue amid regional tensions

Chinese and Russian foreign ministers met in Kuala Lumpur to discuss the Iranian nuclear program and regional security, emphasizing dialogue over force amid recent US and Israeli strikes on Iran.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Thursday in Kuala Lumpur, discussing various issues including the Iranian nuclear program.

This was their first face-to-face meeting since recent US and Israeli airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites, which escalated tensions in the region. Both China and Russia maintain close ties with Iran.

According to a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Wang stressed that “use of force cannot bring peace, pressure cannot solve problems, and dialogue and negotiation are the fundamental way out.”

Wang emphasized China’s respect for Iran’s commitment not to develop nuclear weapons and its right to peaceful nuclear energy use under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

The two ministers also reviewed bilateral relations and exchanged views on other pressing regional and international matters, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Last month’s conflict began with Israeli strikes on Iranian targets, followed by retaliatory attacks and US bombings of Iranian nuclear sites. The 12-day conflict ended with a US-brokered ceasefire on 24 June.

Both Russia and China condemned the US and Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear and military facilities.

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