The deputy foreign ministers of Iran, China, and Russia are scheduled to hold a trilateral meeting to discuss “nuclear energy and imposed sanctions,” Iranian state media reported. The meeting is raising eyebrows, because it also comes as Iran says it is waiting for a letter from US President Donald Trump, and as the third day of Iran-Russia-China naval drills are taking place.
“Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei says the upcoming meeting between Iran, China, and Russia will mainly address the issues related to nuclear energy and sanctions removal,” Iranian state media reported. “Speaking to reporters in Tehran on Wednesday, Baqaei said that the deputy foreign ministers of the Islamic Republic, China, and Russia are to meet in Beijing on March 14. The meeting will focus on developments related to the nuclear issue and the lifting of sanctions, he said.”
This is an important meeting and comes as Iran increasingly seeks to ingratiate itself with China and Russia. The reports said the meeting comes amid Iran seeking closer ties with non-Western economic blocs BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
In the past, the talks with Iran had included five countries that are members of the UN Security Council, as well as Germany, UAE-based Al Ain news site reported. China and Russia are two of those countries.
China's statement
China’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that it would host a Beijing meeting on the “nuclear issue.”
“China will hold the Beijing meeting between China, Russia, and Iran on the Iranian nuclear issue on March 14,” it said. “Executive Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu will chair the meeting, and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov Sergey Alexeevich and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi will attend the meeting in Beijing. The three parties will exchange views on the Iranian nuclear issue and other issues of mutual interest.”
Russia's role
There have been reports that Russia could play a role in mediating with Iran. The US is also seeking a Ukraine ceasefire with Russia after meetings in Saudi Arabia.
This could lead to a grand bargain linking Gaza, Ukraine, and Iran’s nuclear program.
“Following the recent opening of several communication channels between Russia and the United States, Moscow officially confirmed that the Iranian nuclear program was one of the issues raised during the phone call between the two countries’ leaders, according to a statement issued by the Kremlin,” Al Ain reported. “Initially, press reports indicated that Moscow had expressed its willingness to play a role in bridging the gap between Tehran and Washington, a position confirmed by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during his recent visit to Tehran.”
Meanwhile, Iran continues to wait for a letter from Trump. Iran’s supreme leader has so far rejected talks with the US.
Iranian Navy Commander R.-Adm. Shahram Irani on Wednesday spoke about the naval drill Maritime Security Belt 2025. In addition, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the exercise would demonstrate the valor of the Iranian Navy in international arenas, Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), Iran’s official news agency, reported.
“Araghchi emphasized the Islamic Republic of Iran’s determination to maintain and enhance the security of the Persian Gulf, the strategic Strait of Hormuz, the Sea of Oman, and beyond, and said that the current exercise will demonstrate this determination in front of global observers,” the report said.
This is the seventh event of its kind in which the navies of China, Russia, and Iran come together to conduct drills.
“The exercise is designed to enhance security, promote sustainable maritime interactions, and strengthen naval cooperation among the three participating countries,” IRNA reported.