Iran announced that it would hold talks with its Russian and Chinese partners on the sidelines of a Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit on Tuesday, according to Reuters.
“We will have bilateral meetings with the Chinese Foreign Minister, which naturally has its own importance in the current situation, as well as with the Russian Foreign Minister,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Telegram.
SCO
Established in 2001, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is a 10-nation Eurasian security and political grouping. It consists of several members such as China, Russia, India, Pakistan and Iran.
“The SCO is gradually opening up its place in the global arena, meaning it is gradually going beyond the regional arena, and it has many different issues on its agenda, including in the economic, political and security fields,” Araqchi wrote.
Israel Iran Conflict
On June 13, Israel launched a wave of airstrikes on Iran under the name of Operation Rising Lion. The military campaign targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities and killed top military commanders and nuclear scientists.
The US became directly involved in the conflict between Israel and Iran on June 22 after launching airstrikes on the Iranian nuclear facilities in Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan.
Russian & Chinese Condemnations
Crucially, Russia has deeply condemned and regretted US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities stating that the U.S. actions had increased the number of participants in the conflict and further fueled the tensions.
Meanwhile, Chinese scholar and former diplomat Dr. Victor Gao described Israel’s strikes on Iran as a “war of aggression.”
During his online interview with Al Arabiya English’s GNT, Gao denounced Israel’s attacks and missiles on Iranian nuclear facilities, describing them as a “surprise attack” that could have global ramifications.
“China really deplores Israel’s military attack on nuclear facilities inside Iran and considers it as a very serious offense against a world of peace and security,” Gao said.
Related Topics:
‘No Specific Date’ for US Nuclear Talks: Senior Iranian Official
Russia Denies Backing Iran’s Zero Enrichment Nuclear Deal
Iranian Cooperation with IAEA to ‘Take on New Form’: FM Araqchi
