Latest news with #Iranian-Russian-Chinese
Newsweek
a day ago
- Business
- Newsweek
Iran Builds Alliance with China and Russia in Face of US Threat
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Iran, China and Russia are set to discuss the threat of sanctions and its nuclear program in a meeting in Tehran on Tuesday, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA). Newsweek has reached out to the U.S. State Department for comment. Why It Matters Iran is actively seeking support from Russia and China in the aftermath of U.S. airstrikes that damaged key nuclear facilities during a 12-day conflict with Israel last month. The meeting comes during ongoing tensions over Iran's nuclear program and stalled talks with the United States. President Donald Trump said he would hit Iranian nuclear sites again "if necessary," reiterating his warning to Tehran that it should abandon its ambitions to keep enriching uranium — which Iran has said it will not agree to. This handout photo made available by the Iranian Army Office on March 12, 2025 shows navy vessels taking part in a joint Iranian-Russian-Chinese military drill in the Gulf of Oman. This handout photo made available by the Iranian Army Office on March 12, 2025 shows navy vessels taking part in a joint Iranian-Russian-Chinese military drill in the Gulf of Oman. Iranian Army Office/AFP/Getty Images What To Know "We are in constant consultation with these two countries to prevent activation of the snapback or to mitigate its consequences," Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei said at a press briefing on Monday in reference to a snapback mechanism for sanctions if there is no deal on Iran's nuclear program. "We have aligned positions and good relations," he was quoted as saying by Iran International outlet. Iran and Russia have launched joint naval drills this week in the Caspian Sea, while top Iranian officials, including Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh and senior adviser Ali Larijani, met with Russia's leadership and President Vladimir Putin in Moscow this week. Iran's army announced a heightened state of readiness, warning it would deliver a "crushing and devastating response" to any future strikes on its military or nuclear installations. In 2015, Iran and several world powers including France, the United Kingdom, and Germany, signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), an agreement aimed at limiting Tehran's nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. The JCPOA is set to expire in October. The U.S. exited the accord in 2018 under Trump, reimposing sanctions. Tehran says its program is civilian, but the U.S. and ally Israel accuse it of seeking nuclear weapons. "We cannot give up enrichment because it is an achievement of our own scientists. And now, more than that, it is a question of national pride," Araghchi told Fox News' Bret Baier on Monday. What People Are Saying China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told a press briefing Monday, as quoted by IRNA: "The Iranian nuclear issue is concerned with peace and security in the Middle East and is also concerned with the international non-proliferation regime. We always believe a diplomatic approach should be used to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue, and this is the only right way. We call on all parties to walk in the same direction and contribute to the political settlement track of the Iranian nuclear issue." Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in a letter to UN and EU representatives: "The E3 must heed their own advice to the US in their letter of 20 Aug 2020 and "refrain from any action that would only deepen divisions in the Security Council or that would have serious adverse consequences on its work." Russia Foreign Ministry on Sunday: "At the instruction of the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Ali Larijani presented the views of the Islamic Republic on the current escalation in the Middle East and, notably, surrounding Iran's nuclear programme. The Russian Side expressed support for stabilising the situation in the region and resolving any issues pertaining to Iran's nuclear programme via political means." What Happens Next Tehran will meet with France, Britain, and Germany (E3) in Istanbul on Friday for renewed nuclear talks. The continued standoff over itrs nuclear program increases the risk of further military action by Israel or the United States.
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Iran and Russia Launch Naval Drills in Challenge to US
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Iran and Russia have launched a joint naval drill in the Caspian Sea, which borders both countries and lies between Eastern Europe and Central Asia, according to Iranian media. Newsweek has reached out to the U.S. State Department and the Iranian and Russian foreign ministries for comment. Why It Matters The naval drills send a message on cooperation between Iranian and Russian armed forces to the United States weeks after it joined Israel in attacking Iranian nuclear sites. Iran has sought to bolster its military capabilities following the 12-day conflict with Israel during which the U.S. launched strikes on key nuclear sites. Stalled diplomacy has increased the risks for a renewed conflict, as Tehran sought backing from Russia and China to counter U.S. military and economic pressure. This handout photo made available by the Iranian Army Office on March 12, 2025 shows navy personnel saluting aboard a Chinese military ship during a joint Iranian-Russian-Chinese drill in the Gulf of Oman. The navies... This handout photo made available by the Iranian Army Office on March 12, 2025 shows navy personnel saluting aboard a Chinese military ship during a joint Iranian-Russian-Chinese drill in the Gulf of Oman. The navies of Iran, Russia and China are holding military drills off the coast of Iran this week in a bid to boost cooperation, according to Iranian media. More Iranian Army Office/AFP/Getty Images What To Know The joint maritime rescue and security drill, codenamed CASAREX 2025, includes the participation of the Iranian Navy, Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Navy, the Law Enforcement Command of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the Navy of the Russian Federation, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency. On Monday, Mehr news agency published photos of what it said was the Russian Navy's SB738 vessel entering the Caspian Sea 2025 to join the exercise hosted by Iran's Navy. Last week, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Russian and Chinese officials at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization security forum (SCO), where he called for united opposition to U.S. military actions and urged deeper strategic coordination. Earlier this year, U.S.-sanctioned Iran and Russia deepened ties with a defense pact covering joint drills, tech sharing, and coordination against common threats—but without a mutual defense clause. China is also emerging as top candidate to provide advanced weaponry that could help Tehran reestablish deterrence In June, seven U.S. B-2 stealth bombers dropped GBU‑57 bunker-busters on Iran's Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear sites. Iran's army commanders have warned both Israel and the U.S. of a "crushing" response against renewed attacks. Iran has agreed to hold talks in the coming week with Germany, France, and Britain to discuss its nuclear program, a German diplomat told Newsweek. What People Are Saying Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA): "The event will be held under the slogan "Together for a Safe and Secure Caspian Sea." The primary goal of the operation is to reinforce maritime safety and security while fostering greater cooperation among the naval forces of these countries." Department of Defense Chief Spokesman Sean Parnell in statement Saturday: "On July 18, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth hosted Israel Minister of Defense Israel Katz to congratulate the Minister on Israel's remarkable performance in the 12-Day War that paved the way for the resounding success of Operation MIDNIGHT HAMMER." What Happens Next The exercise kicks off Monday and will take place for three days.
