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Iran takes nuclear case to China | |
(20 minutes later) | |
Iran's top nuclear official is holding talks in China amid signs that Beijing has relaxed its opposition to a new round of UN sanctions against Tehran. | Iran's top nuclear official is holding talks in China amid signs that Beijing has relaxed its opposition to a new round of UN sanctions against Tehran. |
The US ambassador to the UN, Susan Rice, said China was ready to hold "serious" talks with Western powers on a new UN resolution. | The US ambassador to the UN, Susan Rice, said China was ready to hold "serious" talks with Western powers on a new UN resolution. |
This would mark a policy shift for China, which has strong ties with Iran. China says it wants a peaceful outcome. | This would mark a policy shift for China, which has strong ties with Iran. China says it wants a peaceful outcome. |
Western powers claim Iran seeks nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran denies. | Western powers claim Iran seeks nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran denies. |
China has in the past expressed reluctance to see new sanctions imposed, and as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, along with France, the US, the UK, and Russia, it has the power to veto such a move. | China has in the past expressed reluctance to see new sanctions imposed, and as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, along with France, the US, the UK, and Russia, it has the power to veto such a move. |
US President Barack Obama, meanwhile, has said he hopes to have sanctions in place "within weeks". | US President Barack Obama, meanwhile, has said he hopes to have sanctions in place "within weeks". |
'Tough sanctions regime' | 'Tough sanctions regime' |
Beijing made the commitment to talks in a phone call on Wednesday, US officials told the Associated Press news agency. | Beijing made the commitment to talks in a phone call on Wednesday, US officials told the Associated Press news agency. |
Paul Reynolds, BBC News world affairs correspondent Until now China has stressed the need for further talks with Iran - but even China seems to accept these have not got anywhere. | |
Chinese support for a new round of Security Council-led sanctions on Iran would increase the diplomatic and economic pressure on Iran, but would probably come a with a price tag. | Chinese support for a new round of Security Council-led sanctions on Iran would increase the diplomatic and economic pressure on Iran, but would probably come a with a price tag. |
China has a veto in the council and, if it agrees to new sanctions, it is likely to say these should not be as severe as some would want. | China has a veto in the council and, if it agrees to new sanctions, it is likely to say these should not be as severe as some would want. |
China has substantial contracts with Iran for the supply of oil and gas, so targeting the energy sector is out. | China has substantial contracts with Iran for the supply of oil and gas, so targeting the energy sector is out. |
Likewise, China might be reluctant to disturb Iran's international trade, by imposing restrictions on re-insurance. | Likewise, China might be reluctant to disturb Iran's international trade, by imposing restrictions on re-insurance. |
The most probable target is the business portfolio of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. | The most probable target is the business portfolio of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. |
Making an arms embargo on Iran mandatory is also a possibility. | Making an arms embargo on Iran mandatory is also a possibility. |
Ms Rice said the US, the UK, France, Germany, Russia and China had agreed to begin drafting a UN resolution on Iran's nuclear programme. | Ms Rice said the US, the UK, France, Germany, Russia and China had agreed to begin drafting a UN resolution on Iran's nuclear programme. |
She told CNN: "China has agreed to sit down and begin serious negotiations here in New York with the others in the [group of six] ... as a first step towards getting the entire Security Council on board with a tough sanctions regime against Iran. | She told CNN: "China has agreed to sit down and begin serious negotiations here in New York with the others in the [group of six] ... as a first step towards getting the entire Security Council on board with a tough sanctions regime against Iran. |
"This is progress, but the negotiations have yet to begin in earnest." | "This is progress, but the negotiations have yet to begin in earnest." |
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said President Hu Jintao would attend a summit on nuclear security in Washington later in the month. | Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said President Hu Jintao would attend a summit on nuclear security in Washington later in the month. |
Mr Qin did not comment directly on Ms Rice's words but, in response to a question about them, said: "We have always and will continue to push for a peaceful settlement of this issue." | Mr Qin did not comment directly on Ms Rice's words but, in response to a question about them, said: "We have always and will continue to push for a peaceful settlement of this issue." |
He added the standoff should be resolved by "diplomatic means". | He added the standoff should be resolved by "diplomatic means". |
"China strongly values the nuclear security issue and opposes nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism," he said. | "China strongly values the nuclear security issue and opposes nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism," he said. |
Meanwhile Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili arrived in Beijing for "bilateral talks and to discuss the nuclear issue", Iran's Irna news agency reported. | Meanwhile Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili arrived in Beijing for "bilateral talks and to discuss the nuclear issue", Iran's Irna news agency reported. |
"The relationship between Iran and China is very important, and it is very important for our two countries to cooperate on all the issues," he told Iranian media. | "The relationship between Iran and China is very important, and it is very important for our two countries to cooperate on all the issues," he told Iranian media. |
On Wednesday, US media reported an Iranian nuclear scientist had defected. | On Wednesday, US media reported an Iranian nuclear scientist had defected. |
ABC News said Shahram Amiri had been resettled in the US and was helping the CIA try to block Iran's nuclear programme. | ABC News said Shahram Amiri had been resettled in the US and was helping the CIA try to block Iran's nuclear programme. |
Iran accused the US of abducting him, but Washington has denied any knowledge of the scientist. | Iran accused the US of abducting him, but Washington has denied any knowledge of the scientist. |