Iran denies Saudi mediation in US nuclear talks, praises Russian role

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is traveling to Beijing on Tuesday with Ali Khamenei’s letter to Xi Jinping, a diplomatic source familiar with the message told Iran International.

The move comes days before Araghchi is expected to hold a third round of talks with US envoy Steve Witkoff.

“In his message to Xi, the Supreme Leader emphasized that the Islamic Republic remains fully committed to the 25-year cooperation agreement with China,” the source added.

“He added that Iran’s ‘Look to the East’ policy is a foundational pillar of its foreign relations and will not be altered by any rapprochement with Washington.”

The outreach comes as Iran’s role in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has remained marginal.

Despite close political ties and a comprehensive strategic agreement signed, Chinese investments in Iran have lagged far behind expectations. Only two major deals were struck between 2013 and 2023, with one later annulled following the US exit from a 2015 nuclear deal.

Iran and the United States this month engaged in two rounds of nuclear negotiations, first in Muscat and then in Rome, mediated by Oman. The initial talks in Muscat were described as "positive and constructive," with both sides agreeing to continue discussions the following week.

A third round of talks is slated for Saturday, as the two sides approach a 60-day deadline set by the US president for achieving a deal on Tehran's disputed nuclear program.

In late March, Trump threatened to bomb Iran and impose secondary sanctions if no nuclear deal is reached with Tehran.

Post-2015 opening to West 'won't be repeated’

According to the same diplomatic source, Khamenei’s message also referenced Iran’s cautious opening up to diplomacy and economic cooperation with the West following a 2015 nuclear agreement, telling Xi that such a change in orientation would not be repeated.

“The message was meant to reassure China that any agreement with the US is solely intended to reduce tensions,” the source said.

In his weekly press briefing on Monday, Iran's Foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Tehran continues to coordinate with allies, adding, “It is natural that we will brief China on the latest in the Iran-US talks.”

Araghchi’s trip to Beijing mirrors a recent effort in which Iran’s foreign minister delivered a similar message from Khamenei to Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of earlier talks in Italy.

Though China remains Iran’s top trading partner, Chinese firms have signed far more lucrative contracts with Saudi Arabia and the UAE in recent years.

Since taking office, the Trump administration has escalated pressure on Iran by targeting Chinese teapot refineries—independent processors of Iranian crude that have served as a vital economic conduit for Tehran under sanctions.

Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said discussed ongoing US-Iran talks mediated by Muscat with Russian President Vladimir Putin while on a visit to the Russian capital, a Kremlin foreign policy aide said on Tuesday.

"We discussed the progress of negotiations between Iranian and American representatives," Interfax quoted Yury Ushakov as saying.

"We will see what the result will be. We maintain close contact with our Iranian colleagues. Where we can, we help."

US Senator John Cornyn voiced support for President Trump’s stated commitment to preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons but warned that diplomacy may not be enough.

“Hopefully, by complete dismantling of their weapons program via negotiations; if not, by any means necessary,” Cornyn wrote on X Tuesday.

The US Treasury on Tuesday slapped new sanctions on Iran's energy sales even as Washington is engaged in high-stakes talks with Tehran on its nuclear program.

Targeted in the new measure was "Iranian national and liquified petroleum gas (LPG) magnate Seyed Asadoollah Emamjomeh and his corporate network, which is collectively responsible for shipping hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of Iranian LPG and crude oil to foreign markets," a Treasury statement said.

Also included in the sanctions was Emamjomeh's son Meisam and a bevy of companies the treasury says are owned or controlled by the father.

"Emamjomeh and his network sought to export thousands of shipments of LPG—including from the United States—to evade US sanctions and generate revenue for Iran,” treasury secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement.

“The United States remains committed to holding accountable those who seek to provide the Iranian regime with the funding it needs to further its destabilizing activities in the region and around the world.”

"I’ve just spoken to Prime Minister of Israel, Bibi Netanyahu, relative to numerous subjects including Trade, Iran, etc.," US President Donald Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

"The call went very well—We are on the same side of every issue."