28 Mar 2024
Saturday 18 May 2019 - 15:40
Story Code : 349229

Iran urges China, Russia 'Concrete Actions' to save nuclear deal

Bourse and Bazaar | Poornima Weerasekara: Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarifon Friday urged China and Russia to take "concrete actions" to safeguard the2015 nuclear deal as he warned of a "dangerous" situation amid escalatingtensions with the US.


A stand-off between Tehran and Washington has ratcheted up in recent days,with the US deploying an aircraft carrier group and B-52 bombers to the Gulflast week over alleged threats from Iran.


"Iran and China need to think together and work together about preserving amultilateral global order and avoiding a unilateral global order," Zarif saidduring a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Friday evening.


On Wednesday, the US State Department ordered the evacuation of mostpersonnel from the US embassy and consulate in Iraq over an alleged "imminent"threat from Iraqi militias with close links to Tehran.


With tensions rising, the UK warned British-Iranian dual nationals againstall travel to Iran on Friday, citing the recent "arbitrary detention andmistreatment" of such citizens.


British insurer Lloyd's of London has also widened its list of areas in andaround the Gulf posing "enhanced risk for marine insurers" after astill-mysterious "attack" on tankers anchored off Fujairah, an Emirati port.


Zarif has called on the international community to save the nuclear deal,known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA.


Iran signed the deal with China, Russia, Germany, Britain, France and theUnited States. International sanctions were eased in return for curbs onTehran's nuclear program.


But last year, President Donald Trump walked away from the accord. The UShas since imposed sweeping sanctions on Iran.


"So far the international community has mostly released statements ratherthan taking action," Zarif said.


"If the international community and other JCPOA member countries and ourfriends in the JCPOA like China and Russia want to keep this achievement, itis required that they make sure the Iranian people enjoy the benefits of theJCPOA with concrete actions," he added.


The White House has sent mixed signals about its intentions in recent days


In a Friday tweet, Trump lambasted the media for what he said was its"fraudulent and highly inaccurate coverage of Iran", amid multiple US reportsof infighting in Trump's cabinet over how hard to push Tehran.


'Maximum Pressure'


Zarif said last week that only Russia and China had supported Iran andhelped it keep the nuclear deal going, and accused other parties to theagreement of letting Tehran down.


China was one of the eight global buyersIndia, Turkey, Japan, SouthKorea, Taiwan, Italy and Greecethat was allowed to import Iranian crudeoil before the US ended waivers in early May.


Zarif's China trip comes after visits to Turkmenistan, India and Japan inthe past week.


Despite Washington's campaign of "maximum pressure" against Iran, theIslamic Republic has vowed to keep selling oil to its main customers,especially China, even if it requires using indirect means.


On May 8, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Iran would stop observingrestrictions on stocks of enriched uranium and heavy water agreed under thenuclear deal in retaliation for the US withdrawal and the reimposition ofsanctions.


In his announcement, Rouhani threatened to go further if the Europeanmembers of the deal failed to start delivering on their promises to help Irancircumvent US sanctions within 60 days.


China in response called on all parties to uphold the nuclear deal in whatit called a "shared responsibility.


European nations have also called on all partners to the deal to helpsalvage it while expressing frustration at Iran's demands for help incircumventing US sanctions.


One European diplomat called on China to buy Iranian oil as it is lessexposed to the United States.


"They are now very exposed to the dollar but it is also a question ofpolitical choice," said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.


"The reality for the Chinese is that they are in a global trade war withthe Americans, they are in the middle of negotiations and they are not quiteso sure if they want to load the boat," the diplomat added.

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