China and Russia reiterate support for Iran nuclear agreement
The JCPOA could collapse as a result of attacks and threats from the US president. Teheran and Beijing plan to work together to protect it. According to the Russia’s foreign minister, failure would have "very negative" consequences for the whole world. Iran does not intend to renegotiate.
Tehran (AsiaNews) – China and Russia have reiterated their unconditional support for the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) as repeated attacks by US President Donald Trump could finally scuttle it.
Senior Iranian officials have recently met with their Russian and Chinese counterparts. Both Moscow and Beijing have confirmed their support for the agreement signed by Iran and the 5+1 group (United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia, China, plus Germany).
On Tuesday Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met in Beijing with Alaeddin Boroujerdi, chairman of the Iranian Parliament’s Committee on National Security and Foreign Policy, stressing that both Iran and China are committed to protecting the nuclear deal.
At the meeting, the two sides also discussed bilateral ties, counter-terrorism and the situation in Iraq, Yemen and Syria where both countries have interests and investments.
On Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also reaffirmed his government’s commitment to the JCPO. “We will insist that all the parties remain committed to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) for Iran’s nuclear program,” he was quoted as saying. Failure, he added, would have "very negative" consequences for the non-proliferation system and the world order.
After years of embargo, Iran won a partial easing of Western economic sanctions in exchange for an agreement on its controversial nuclear programme.
Largely welcomed by the international community, the deal has been a boost for Iran’s economy and investments, stimulating urban renewal and reforms in the energy sector. However, the United States – along with Israel – has maintained a series of sanctions over Tehran’s missile programme and armed support for Shia movements in the Middle East.
On 12 January, Trump waived sanctions against Iran for another 120 days, but also said that it would be "the last time". During his election campaign and in this first year of office, the US leader repeatedly stressed that he plans to scrap the deal, which he calls “the worst deal ever”.
If sanctions are reimposed the JPCOA would be virtually dead. Teheran has repeatedly stated that it does not intend to bow to any new obligations with respect to those it has already signed and does not plan to renegotiate the agreement itself.
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