Iran Digs In on Nuclear Talks, Boosted by China and Russia

Bloomberg – By Jonathan Tirone September 2, 2021, 9:00 PM PDT

U.S. and European efforts to coax Iran back into nuclear negotiations as soon as this month are being blunted by the support the Islamic Republic’s already emboldened leaders are receiving from China and Russia.

The result is that three years after former President Donald Trump imposed his “maximum pressure” policy, Iran has enriched uranium close to weapons-grade while its economy is showing some signs of stabilizing with the help of Beijing and Moscow, even as crucial oil exports remain heavily sanctioned.

Diplomats and analysts suggest the developments are creating space for Iran’s new government to expand the list of concessions it wants from Washington to return to compliance with the 2015 agreement struck with world powers. Doing so could push the talks into next year, topple the process entirely, or lead to fresh turmoil in the Middle East.