Fri Mar 14 09:23:41 UTC 2025: ## Russia, China, and Iran Demand End to US Sanctions on Iran, Call for Multilateral Talks

**Beijing, China** – Top diplomats from Russia, China, and Iran issued a joint statement Friday demanding an end to what they called “unlawful” US sanctions against Iran and urging a resumption of multilateral talks on the Iranian nuclear program.

The deputy foreign ministers of the three nations, meeting in Beijing, emphasized the need to address the root causes of the current tensions, including the sanctions, pressure, and threats of force. China’s Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu, reading from the joint statement, explicitly called for the termination of all unilateral sanctions. His Iranian and Russian counterparts echoed this sentiment.

The meeting comes amid ongoing attempts by the US to engage with Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on a potential nuclear deal. However, Khamenei has recently dismissed President Trump’s overtures, citing the US’s previous withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear agreement and its imposition of crippling sanctions. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also reiterated Iran’s unwillingness to negotiate under threat.

Despite this, some Iranian officials have hinted at a potential openness to new talks, and the Beijing meeting is seen as a significant step towards that possibility. The support of Russia and China, both permanent members of the UN Security Council, is crucial for any progress in resolving the long-standing Iran nuclear impasse.

The 2015 nuclear deal, which limited Iran’s uranium enrichment capabilities, was abandoned by President Trump in 2018. Since then, Iran has significantly expanded its nuclear program, sparking international concern. The latest IAEA report indicates Iran’s uranium stockpile is now far exceeding the limits set under the original agreement. Iran maintains its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

The ongoing standoff has significant implications for regional stability and global security. The joint statement from Russia, China, and Iran underscores the international pressure on the United States to reconsider its approach and engage in serious diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions.

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