China supports Russia in hosting trilateral consultations on Iranian nuclear issue: FM spokesperson
In response to a media inquiry regarding the Iranian Foreign Ministry announcement that from April 7 to 8, China, Russia and Iran will have trilateral consultations on the Iranian nuclear issue in Moscow, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Tuesday, "Let me reiterate that China firmly believes that the only right choice for settling the issue is through political and diplomatic means."
We support Russia in hosting this trilateral expert-level consultation, which will further promote the political and diplomatic settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue, Lin told the regular press conference on Tuesday.
According to update by Russia's TASS gency on Tuesday night, the three countries are currently engaged in consultations in Moscow to consider possible scenarios following the expiration of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which formally governs Iran's nuclear program, as well as UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which approved the plan.
"Various options and scenarios are being considered regarding what will occur after the current Security Council resolution expires on October 18 of this year," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko has told the media.
According to TASS, he added that the sides will be closely watching what "will happen to the nuclear deal next in the face of the US' current attempts at forceful resolution of the issue."
China will continue to have communication and coordination with relevant parties, and facilitate the settlement to the Iranian nuclear issue that accommodates all parties' legitimate concerns so as to uphold the international non-proliferation regime and keep the Middle East peaceful and stable, said the spokesperson.
In response to an earlier question at the press conference on Tuesday regarding reports that the US and Iran have announced talks over the nature of Iran's nuclear program, Lin said that China noted relevant reports. "China all along believes that the only right choice for settling the issue is through political and diplomatic means."
Against the current backdrop, it's all the more important for parties to the Iranian nuclear issue to work in the same direction, strengthen dialogue and engagement, and avoid any escalation, Lin commented.
In 2015, Iran, along with Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the US, signed the JCPOA, which aimed to resolve a crisis that began in 2002 due to Western accusations of Tehran developing nuclear weapons. However, in 2018, US President Donald Trump announced the withdrawal from the JCPOA and reinstated all US sanctions against Iran.
As the country which unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA and caused the current situation, the US needs to show political sincerity, act in the spirit of mutual respect, engage in dialogue and consultation, and stop the threat of force and maximum pressure, Lin noted.