The top Iranian diplomat explained to his Chinese counterparts about his indirect consultation with US officials over his country’s nuclear program during his visit to Beijing, according to the Iranian Foreign Ministry.
Ahead of the indirect negotiations for the third round scheduled for the weekend, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragut thanked China’s foreign minister for “constructive and effective policies on Iran’s nuclear issue and sanctions removal,” the Iranian ministry said on Wednesday.
The Wang said Iran has the right to “peaceful use of nuclear energy,” and that according to Chinese national media, he expressed his gratitude for Iran’s commitment to not develop nuclear weapons.
China is “committed to a political and diplomatic solution to Iran’s nuclear issue, opposed to armed abuse and illegal, unilateral sanctions,” Wang said.
US and Iranian officials expressed optimism following the second round of nuclear talks held in Rome on Saturday, but the two sides remain separate, especially on one issue that they appear to have fundamental differences.
Washington hopes Iran will halt its production of rich uranium. We believe this is intended to build an atomic bomb. This week, Iran has reiterated its right to enrich uranium, but suggests it wants to negotiate some compromises in exchange for sanctions relief.
US President Donald Trump’s Middle Eastern envoy Steve Witkov is scheduled to attend a third-round speech in Oman on Saturday.