China To Host High-Level Talks With Russia, Iran On Sanctions, Nuclear Deal, And US-Abandoned JCPOA

China is set to host high-level diplomatic talks with Russia and Iran on 14 March, reinforcing its position as a key mediator in the ongoing Iranian nuclear standoff, reported The Firstpost.

The discussions come at a time of heightened tensions, particularly after Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, rejected former US President Donald Trump’s offer for renewed negotiations, dismissing it as a "deception."

The meeting will be chaired by China’s Vice-Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu, with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov Sergey Alexeevich and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi in attendance. 

According to China Daily, the talks will primarily focus on reviving the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)—the 2015 nuclear agreement that the US abandoned in 2018 under the Trump administration.

Since the US withdrawal, Washington has reimposed severe economic sanctions on Iran, prompting Tehran to gradually roll back its commitments to the agreement. 

China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, confirmed that the Iranian nuclear issue, sanctions relief, and broader international cooperation will be the key points of discussion. 

Analysts suggest that Iran and Russia's growing reliance on China underscores Beijing’s role as a strategic diplomatic player amid rising global tensions.

Beyond nuclear diplomacy, Iranian officials have hinted that the meeting will expand into discussions on economic collaboration, regional security, and multilateral initiatives. 

These include Iran’s participation in BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)—two platforms where China, Russia, and Iran have deepened their ties in recent years.

The Beijing talks follow Iran’s outright rejection of a fresh US proposal for nuclear negotiations. Last week, Trump confirmed that he had sent a letter to Khamenei through the United Arab Emirates (UAE), urging Tehran to return to the negotiating table.

The letter reportedly warned Iran of two choices: "militarily, or you make a deal."

However, Khamenei swiftly dismissed the offer, labeling it a ploy to deceive global opinion. Addressing a group of university students, he stated:
"When we know they won’t honor it, what’s the point of negotiating?", quoted as saying by The Firstpost.

He further criticised Washington’s past actions, particularly Trump’s withdrawal from the JCPOA and the subsequent imposition of sanctions, as proof that the US cannot be trusted.