China to host meeting with Russia and Iran on Iran’s nuclear programme

China will hold talks with Russia and Iran in Beijing on Iran’s nuclear programme, following a UN Security Council meeting on uranium enrichment concerns.

China will host a meeting in Beijing on Friday with Russia and Iran to discuss Iran’s nuclear programme, according to its foreign ministry. Both nations will be represented by their deputy foreign ministers.

Iran and Russia have strengthened ties since 2022, signing a strategic cooperation treaty in January. Both countries maintain close relations with China.

China’s Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu will chair the meeting, foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning confirmed at a press briefing on Wednesday.

The discussions follow a closed-door session of the United Nations Security Council in New York on the same day, which addressed Iran’s growing stockpile of uranium enriched to levels close to weapons-grade.

Last week, Russia stated that Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov had met with Iran’s ambassador, Kazem Jalali, to discuss international efforts related to Iran’s nuclear activities. This followed reports that Russia had agreed to assist the US administration in communications with Iran.

Tehran has denied seeking to develop nuclear weapons. However, the UN’s atomic watchdog, the IAEA, has reported that Iran is increasing its uranium enrichment to levels of up to 60% purity, approaching the 90% required for weapons-grade material.

Iran signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2015 with Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the United States, which lifted sanctions in exchange for restrictions on its nuclear programme.

The United States withdrew from the agreement in 2018, after which Iran began reducing its nuclear-related commitments.

China has reiterated its support for renewed negotiations and has called for a diplomatic resolution to the issue.