Iran Seeks China Support Amid Nuclear Talks Deadlock, Sanction Risks

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has declared China as the biggest rival to U.S. policies and emphasized the need for cooperation among China, Russia, and Iran to counter Western unilateralism, especially amid renewed efforts by European countries to reimpose sanctions on Tehran. Despite the snapback mechanism triggered by France, Germany, and the U.K., Iran asserts that its oil sales and foreign trade continue unhindered, and it remains committed to its nuclear rights while engaging in negotiations with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), although recent talks have yielded no definitive results. Iran has suspended cooperation with the IAEA following accusations of bias and recent military conflicts involving the U.S. and Israel, yet communications with the agency persist through diplomatic channels. Pezeshkian also expressed Iran's readiness for indirect talks with the United States based on recognition of its nuclear rights, aiming for a mutually beneficial outcome, while warning that European parties lack legitimacy to invoke snapback sanctions due to their failure to meet obligations under the 2015 nuclear deal. Furthermore, Iran seeks to strengthen regional cooperation, particularly enhancing trade and banking ties with Turkey, which supports Iran's peaceful nuclear activities and opposes foreign military presence in the Caucasus. The ongoing geopolitical dynamics reflect Tehran's strategy to balance diplomatic engagement with assertions of sovereignty amid increasing Western pressure.