China, Russia, and Iran Set for Nuclear Talks in Beijing Amid Growing Uranium Enrichment Concerns

China, Russia, and Iran are set to hold nuclear discussions in Beijing on Friday, as announced by the Chinese foreign ministry. The talks will focus on the Iranian “nuclear issue,” and both countries will send their deputy foreign ministers to participate.
Since the onset of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, relations between Iran and Russia have strengthened significantly. In January, the two nations signed a strategic cooperation agreement, and both maintain close ties with China.
The meeting will be led by China’s Vice Foreign Minister, Ma Zhaoxu, as confirmed by spokesperson Mao Ning during a regular press briefing on Wednesday.
The discussions will take place on the same day as a private United Nations Security Council meeting in New York concerning Iran’s uranium enrichment. Reports suggest that Russia has agreed to help facilitate communication between the U.S. and Iran during the Trump administration.
Tehran has repeatedly denied any intention of pursuing nuclear weapons. However, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has raised concerns, warning that Iran is rapidly increasing its uranium enrichment to levels as high as 60% purity, approaching the weapons-grade threshold of 90%.
In 2015, Iran struck a deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with several major powers, including the UK, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the US. This agreement lifted sanctions on Iran in exchange for limitations on its nuclear program.
However, the U.S. pulled out of the agreement in 2018 during President Trump’s first term, which led Iran to gradually scale back its commitments related to the nuclear deal.
China has reiterated its strong support for Iran’s right to safeguard its interests and has called for a swift resumption of nuclear negotiations.