With the opportunity of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Foreign Ministers' Meeting, Iran's Foreign Minister has come to Beijing with a mission. The next steps are unclear, and Iran is seeking China's opinion.

(Alaghchi visits China with two major tasks)

On July 14, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Baghaei gave an exclusive interview to Phoenix Television. When asked about what expectations Iran has for China if Israel launches another attack, Baghaei mentioned Iran's Foreign Minister Alaghchi's visit to China recently.

Baghaei stated that during this visit, Alaghchi will further discuss the nuclear negotiations and regional security issues with China.

This indicates that in addition to participating in the SCO Foreign Ministers' Meeting, Alaghchi also came with two major tasks.

Let's first look at the nuclear negotiations. Although the Iran-Israel conflict has ended, the U.S.-Iran negotiations have stalled.

At the beginning of the Iran-Israel ceasefire, the U.S. had announced that it would soon arrange a meeting between Iran's Foreign Minister and the U.S. Special Envoy for Middle East Affairs, but to date, more than half a month has passed since the conflict ended, and there have been no subsequent updates.

Baghaei revealed that there is currently no clear time or location for this matter.

At the same time, Iran is also confused about how to continue negotiations with the U.S.

A few days ago, Alaghchi stated in a meeting that Iran is willing to restart nuclear negotiations, but with two conditions: one, it will not accept any agreement that does not recognize its right to uranium enrichment; two, it must ensure that the resumption of negotiations will not lead to war.

(The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson reveals that the U.S.-Iran negotiations have not moved forward)

Alaghchi's two conditions show that they are taking a vague attitude towards the negotiation issue, wanting to talk but not eager to do so, while hoping to use the negotiations with the U.S. to ensure their own security.

The desire to negotiate is because the current Iranian government hopes to resolve the nuclear issue through negotiations, gain the lifting of sanctions from the West, and normalize relations with the West. They believe there is still room for negotiation with the U.S.;

Not being eager to negotiate is to let the U.S. understand that the responsibility for the stalemate in negotiations lies with Israel and the U.S., ensuring Iran's national security is the basis for the resumption of nuclear negotiations.

Therefore, before the negotiations with the U.S. begin, Alaghchi came to discuss the nuclear negotiation issue with China, obviously hoping that China can give some advice, and preferably provide sufficient support to increase leverage and confidence in the negotiations with the U.S.

At the same time, using China's influence and endorsement, pressuring the U.S. to negotiate seriously.

After all, China's position on the U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations has always been to support resolving the Iran nuclear issue through political consultation and negotiations.

We have two demands: one, the Persian Gulf should not be in war or chaos; two, the United Nations system must be respected and maintained.

How to ensure stability in the Persian Gulf? Obviously, conducting nuclear negotiations is one of the options. Therefore, Iran wants to talk with the U.S., and China is happy to see that.

(No war or chaos along the Persian Gulf coast)

The United Nations system was once again shaken and damaged during this Iran-Israel conflict. The U.S. and Israel completely ignored Iran's basic rights and launched air strikes recklessly, which is not only a threat to Iran's national security, but also a violation of the UN Charter.

Although the Iran-Israel conflict has ended, the contradictions between Iran and Israel remain. Looking at Israel's behavior, the conflict could flare up at any time.

Israel has repeatedly stated that it is not excluding the possibility of attacking Iran again. Therefore, Iran is not yet ready to relax its vigilance.

Looking back at China's performance in this round of Iran-Israel conflict, China immediately strongly condemned Israel in various international occasions, stood up for Iran, and gained significant diplomatic space for Iran.

Most countries began to speak out for Iran after China's support, which made Iran see that China can play a constructive role in stopping Israel's military actions.

Therefore, when Alaghchi talked about the security issue this time, it may be to further obtain China's substantial support before the next conflict breaks out, possibly seeking to expand military cooperation with China, or to seek China's advice on "how to deal with Israel's military threats."

China-Iran relations are friendly, and Iran is of great strategic value to us. Its security and stability relate to our strategy in the Middle East and energy security. Naturally, we do not want to see Iran threatened by the U.S. and Israel.

China is willing to provide advice and support to Iran, but the condition is that the Iranian decision-makers must also show a willingness to be supported. The most important thing is not to easily compromise and make concessions to the U.S. and Israel, especially not to sell China's interests.

(Iran's security and stability are crucial to our layout in the Middle East)

In summary, the Iranian Foreign Minister's visit is both a request for China's diplomatic wisdom and an expectation of the Eastern solution.

For Iran, China's support is not only diplomatic solidarity, but also strategic backing.

If Iran can use China's mediation to advance the nuclear negotiations or deter Israel's military adventurism, its security environment will significantly improve.

For China, a stable Iran means a more reliable partner in the Middle East, a secure energy supply, and a Middle East that is expected to move toward peace. At the same time, it can weaken the U.S.'s unipolar hegemony in the region.

In the long run, how China and Iran coordinate to respond to pressure from the U.S. and Israel will become a key variable in the Middle East situation.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7527258867286262324/

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