China Opposes Third Extension of Nuclear Talks with Iran

Wang Yi, China's Foreign Minister, stated in Tehran that his country does not support a third extension of nuclear negotiations between Iran and world powers. According to the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA), Mr. Yi said during a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif on Sunday, February 15, "The negotiations have already been extended twice, and I do not hope for a third extension." The Chinese Foreign Minister added that negotiating parties can "enhance their cooperation responsibly for the people and history to reach a comprehensive agreement on time." Iran and the P5+1 group, which includes the United States, Britain, France, Russia, China, and Germany, reached a temporary agreement in November 2013 in Geneva to resolve the Islamic Republic's nuclear dispute. Since then, both sides have been negotiating to achieve a final agreement. These countries have extended the deadline for reaching a final agreement twice since the temporary Geneva agreement in November 2013. The current deadline for reaching an agreement is set for July 1, 2015, but based on mutual understanding, it has been agreed that a political agreement should be reached by March 24, followed by a final agreement. While U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has stated that any extension of negotiations after March 24 is off the table unless a framework and outline of an agreement are defined by then, Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, has opposed a two-stage agreement and called for a one-stage agreement on details and generalities. During his meeting with the Chinese Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif emphasized the need for lifting international sanctions as a "political will" for a final agreement. Mr. Zarif stated that "what is important is that Western countries, especially the United States, come to accept that the era of sanctions is over and that sanctions have benefited no one and will not benefit anyone in the future." The Iranian Foreign Minister called for the abandonment of "emotional dependence on sanctions" and added, "With such political will, reaching an agreement is entirely within reach." In this context, a confidential report states that the likelihood of a nuclear agreement with Iran by March is "very weak." The Wall Street Journal reported on a confidential letter from Khamenei to Obama. The new Iranian representative to the United Nations will arrive in New York next week. The changing battlefield of "proxy wars"; the war against the people in the streets of Iran. The first paragraph; the responsibility of the opposition and the likelihood of radicalization of Iranian society. The death of the last Mossad representative in Tehran amid the Iran crisis. Two weeks after a complete blackout, the time for reconnecting the internet in Iran is still "uncertain." The shadow of war over Tehran; "Trump is seeking decisive military options against Iran." Trump says if the Islamic Republic attempts to assassinate him, it will be "wiped off the face of the earth." A senior U.S. official: The Trump administration is closely monitoring the case of Reza Valizadeh. The death of the last Mossad representative in Tehran amid the Iran crisis.