Impact on the deadlock on for an agreement between and , it is expected that he may have his trip to as despite the fact that he himself appeared with new statements of continuing the policy of pressure against Tehran claiming that “his patience is running out”, at the same time he made a very specific reference to one of the thorn issues which is none other than the Iranian one.
What Trump says about Iran after Beijing
According to what Trump said from Air Force One, shortly after saying goodbye to his “friend” Xi Jinping, he is open to the possibility of Iran suspending its nuclear program for 20 years, but only if it comes with a “real commitment”. Regarding Iran’s missile program, Trump claimed that 80% of Tehran’s missile stockpile has been destroyed by the US campaign and made it clear that information to the contrary such as that reported by the New York Times (NYT) is “treasonous”.
According to what he disclosed on the matter, after the discussions he had with Xi Jinping in which they both agreed that Iran cannot acquire nuclear weapons and that the Strait of Hormuz should be opened as soon as possible, he will consider lifting sanctions against Chinese companies that buy Iranian oil. This is in effect both a move that improves his relationship with Beijing and the Chinese leadership, but at the same time limits the pressure on the Iranian economy that this could entail at the negotiating table for a deal.
How does Tehran respond and the role of China
In this context, the interventions and comments made around the same time by the Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, are of particular interest. According to what he reported, the US has been in contact with Tehran expressing the intention to continue the talks, while he made it clear – essentially recalling the US position – that Iran is ready to follow either the diplomatic or military path to end the conflict. As he asserted from New Delhi and the meeting of the BRICS Foreign Ministers, “I do not trust the USA” and for this Iranian diplomacy would welcome a mediation from China.
As he underlined: “We maintain very good relations with China, we are strategic partners and we know that the Chinese have good intentions.” In an attempt to “break” the agreement between the US and China promoted earlier by Donald Trump in terms of China’s commitment to the issue of opening the Straits of Hormuz (and not imposing tolls as Iran wants), Araghchi argued that ships from countries that do not participate in attacks against Iran can pass through the Straits normally.
For its part, however, Beijing appears to maintain a controversial, marginally neutral stance on the issue of Iran, as it does appear to agree with Washington on individual issues, as at the same time it characterized the war as a “conflict that should never have happened”, without directly blaming Tehran. Analysts believe that China will hardly put decisive pressure on Iran, which it considers a valuable strategic counterweight to the US.
