Editorial | US needs to grab opportunity on Iran
- China opens door to Washington for possible restart of nuclear talks with Tehran shortly before announcing ‘strategic partnership’
Foreign Minister Wang Yi has described China’s relations with Iran as having reached the level of a “strategic partnership”, a term used in reference to only a few countries, such as Russia. Along with a 25-year, US$400 billion strategic cooperation agreement with Tehran, it reflects a shift to a more assertive Middle East stance by Beijing.
Shortly before the deal was announced, it emerged that China had told the United States of some “new development” in the Iran nuclear situation and urged it to seize an opportunity to restart negotiations. This heads-up on possible movement towards resurrecting the Iran nuclear deal not only demonstrated Beijing’s goodwill, but also showed how important China’s role could now be.
The deal with Iran covers energy, economic and security cooperation, with strong focus on infrastructure that has suffered under US economic sanctions, such as telecommunications, ports, railways and the public health system. In return, Iran has guaranteed a stable oil supply to China.
Apart from bringing communications into the present century, Beijing’s help in building a 5G network and providing a GPS system will help combat terrorism and drug trafficking.
It is not clear whether the outcome of Wang’s visit took the US by surprise, but it needs to recognise China’s role if the two sides are to play a constructive part in dealing with Iran and the region.
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Next US president will have to give in to Iran, Rouhani says
The word from Beijing to Washington came when vice-minister of foreign affairs Ma Zhaoxu called Robert Malley – Biden’s special envoy on Iran – on Thursday night.