Русский
Trilateral talks between representatives of Iran, Russia, and China on the Iranian nuclear program have been taking place in Moscow (April 8). The talks were arranged a day after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected as “meaningless” US President Donald Trump’s proposal for direct negotiations on reviving a nuclear deal.
Tehran refuses to engage in direct negotiations with Washington due to the volatility of the current US administration. The Iranian leadership recalls that it was during Trump’s first term in 2018 that the United States withdrew from their existing nuclear agreement, reversed the deal and imposed severe anti-Iranian sanctions.
At the same time, Araghchi emphasized that Tehran remains committed to a peaceful resolution of the crisis but prefers talks to be conducted through intermediaries. Oman is currently playing that role.
Iranian representatives are likely to seek military and economic support from Russia and China in exchange for Tehran’s abandonment of its nuclear program, according to Kirill Semenov, a director at the Russian International Affairs Council.
Last week, the Tehran Times reported that Iran’s missile forces were being prepared to strike United States targets in the Middle East in the event of a military threat being carried out. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has also placed the Iranian armed forces on high alert.
Tehran has long said its nuclear industry is for peaceful purposes. Being able to use nuclear power – and both Russia and China could help Iran build NPP – would be a significant boost to the Iranian economy, which is heavily sanctioned. Iran could also export power to neighbouring countries such as Pakistan, also desperately in need of energy. However, Israel has long warned against Iran possessing such technology saying it can be used to attack them.
Iran’s nuclear energy development would be optimal for solving its energy problems, but the country is rich in other energy areas as well. Iran has the world’s third-largest oil reserves and the second-largest proven reserves of natural gas. But years of underinvestment in infrastructure modernisation, along with sanctions, have made Iran unprepared for energy challenges. Both China and Russia could help with the necessary technology and investment.
Another issue is a potential United States ‘reward’ for Russia and China in any successful negotiations in persuading Tehran to engage in a non-nuclear energy programme. For Russia that would involve a relaxation of sanctions, and a deal over Ukraine, and for China, a relaxation of tariffs. The implications of what happens in Moscow are far-reaching.
Further Reading
