China Backs Early Agreement on Revival of Nuclear Accord

China’s foreign minister said Beijing always supports an early agreement between Iran and the United States on resuming compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. 
“China supports the finalization of Vienna talks,” Wang Yi said in a phone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Tuesday, ISNA reported. 
The JCPOA was abandoned by the US in 2018 under its former president Donald Trump, who then reimposed sweeping sanctions on Tehran. Iran reacted by rolling back on its nuclear commitments. 
Negotiations began in April in the Austrian capital Vienna to work out how both sides can return to full implementation. 
Iran demands a verifiable removal of all sanctions before reversing its nuclear steps, besides assurances in case of a potential violation of the deal by a future US president. 
“The Chinese side understands Iran’s legitimate concerns, supports Iran in safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests, and opposes unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law,” Wang was quoted as saying by Xinhua.
“In the face of the rapidly evolving international and regional situation, China is ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Iran to push the resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue in a direction conducive to regional peace and stability,” he added. 
Amir-Abdollahian described China’s approach as constructive, hoping that Beijing would continue its support. 
“In case the American side adopts realistic view, we will finalize a good, strong and stable agreement with the support of all negotiating parties in Vienna,” he said. 

Russia’s Reassurance 

The Iranian top diplomat also briefed his Chinese counterpart about his dialogue with Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on Tuesday. 
“Various topics were discussed in this meeting and Moscow reassured that it would support the lifting of sanctions on Tehran by playing a constructive role,” he said.
Amir-Abdollahian visited Russia following the announcement of a pause in Vienna talks by the European Union coordinator of the JCPOA Josep Borrell due to “external factors”.
The factors were reportedly new questions raised by some parities, including Russia who demanded immunity against western sanctions imposed over its conflict in Ukraine. 
Although western countries called it irrelevant and refused to entertain the demand, Russia’s Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday that Moscow has received written assurances from Washington that Ukraine-related sanctions would not hinder cooperation within the framework of the JCPOA. 
He also said accusations that Russia is putting a brake on a potential agreement are untrue. 
The Iranian diplomat also gave assurance that Russia would not block reaching an agreement and that there is no relation between the developments in Ukraine and the Vienna negotiations. 
“Reassured that Russia remains onboard for the final agreement in Vienna. More than ever, ball is in US court to provide the responses needed for successful conclusion of the talks,” he later said in a tweet. 
He told Wang that Iran stands ready to return to the negotiating table as soon as possible and resolve the final outstanding issues through consultation with related parties, so as to work toward a good agreement.