Russia and China to Launch Bold New Initiative on Iran Nuclear Talks

Russia’s Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna, Mikhail Ulyanov, has revealed a new joint initiative by Moscow and Beijing to address the Iranian nuclear issue, signaling a potential diplomatic breakthrough amid rising tensions.

Speaking to Al Mayadeen, Ulyanov said the proposal will soon be presented with the aim of resolving the nuclear dispute with Iran. He sharply criticized European countries, arguing that their recent actions have politicized the issue, undermined diplomacy, and weakened cooperation between the IAEA and Iran.

The announcement comes as the UN Security Council prepares to vote on whether to reimpose sanctions on Iran that were lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA). Britain, France, and Germany have been pushing for the so-called “snapback mechanism”, accusing Iran of failing to meet its obligations.

Under the JCPOA’s dispute resolution process, any party claiming non-compliance can seek the reinstatement of six prior Security Council resolutions adopted between 2006 and 2010. Iran counters that the Europeans cannot invoke the mechanism, pointing out that they were the first to violate the deal by refusing to compensate for the US withdrawal in 2018. Tehran emphasizes that its reduction of nuclear commitments was a direct response to these breaches.

The Russia-China initiative could become a critical factor in reshaping international negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program, offering a diplomatic alternative to escalating sanctions and reinforcing Iran’s stance on sovereignty and compliance under international law.