Russia, China and Iran have called for the lifting of illegal sanctions

Russia, China and Iran advocate the lifting of illegal unilateral sanctions. This statement was made on March 14 by Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu during a meeting in Beijing on the Iranian nuclear issue with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi.

"We stress the need to put an end to all illegal sanctions," TASS quoted Zhaoxu as saying.

In addition, the countries expressed their readiness for a peaceful resolution of the Iranian nuclear program from a position of dialogue based on mutual respect. Ma Zhaoxu also noted that Russia and China welcome Iran's confirmation of the peaceful nature of nuclear developments and Tehran's unwillingness to develop nuclear weapons.

At the same time, Beijing, Moscow and Tehran stressed the importance of implementing UN Security Council Resolution 2231 in support of the Iran nuclear deal.

Three and a bomb: why does the United States need Russia's mediation in the nuclear deal with Iran

Moscow is ready to act as a third party in the negotiations on the JCPOA

Earlier, on March 10, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia would assist in resolving the Iranian nuclear dossier "in a peaceful manner." Peskov also recalled that Iran is a sovereign country that independently formulates a position on foreign policy issues. However, he added that "intense contacts" are expected.

In February, US President Donald Trump signed a memorandum on national security, which, according to him, exerts "maximum pressure" on Iran's nuclear program. He noted that Washington cannot allow Tehran to have nuclear weapons and create them.

The Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic, Abbas Araghchi, called Trump's fears about the production of nuclear weapons in vain, since the country is committed to the treaty on its non-proliferation (NPT) and the religious ban (fatwa) on this activity in Iran.