China declared Friday its opposition to imposing sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program, a stance taken after three Western nations warned the United Nations they would reintroduce penalties if a diplomatic solution wasn’t reached by the close of August.
European sanctions on Iran were eased following a 2015 agreement in exchange for limits on Tehran’s nuclear activities. However, on Wednesday, the foreign ministers of the E3 nations – Britain, France, and Germany – issued a joint letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the Security Council, signaling their intent to reimpose sanctions if diplomatic progress stalled beyond August.
“China opposes invoking” sanctions, stating that it “does not help parties build trust.” Beijing’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian, emphasized in a statement that reimposing sanctions is “not conducive to the diplomatic effort for the early resumption of talks.” Iran reported Thursday that it was collaborating with China and Russia to prevent the reintroduction of sanctions.
European nations have increased their warnings to Iran regarding its pause in cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN’s nuclear watchdog. This action follows a 12-day conflict initiated by Israel in June, which aimed partly to dismantle Iran’s nuclear capabilities. The United States also conducted a bombing raid during that period.
Concerns Over Uranium Stockpiles
The E3 foreign ministers’ letter on Wednesday detailed specific commitments they claim Iran has violated. Among these violations is the accumulation of uranium stock, reportedly exceeding 40 times the level permitted under the 2015 agreement.
“The E3 remain fully committed to a diplomatic resolution to the crisis caused by Iran’s nuclear programme and will continue to engage with a view to reaching a negotiated solution,” the ministers stated.
‘Tools to Respond’
The 2015 accord, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), effectively unraveled after U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. in 2018 and reinstated sanctions. European countries had endeavored to preserve the deal.
The agreement, set to expire in October, contains a “snapback mechanism” that allows for the restoration of sanctions. Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, characterized the reimposition of sanctions as potentially “negative,” though he suggested the anticipated economic impacts were “exaggerated.”
“We will try to prevent it,” Araghchi told state television on Thursday. “If this does not work and they apply it, we have tools to respond. We will discuss them in due course.”
Last month, Araghchi conveyed to the UN that European countries lacked the legal authority to reinstate sanctions. The European ministers countered this assertion, labeling the claim “unfounded.”
“Any moves taken by the Security Council now should help reach new agreements in talks, instead of the opposite,” China’s Lin added on Friday.
