Iran-US Détente: Can China’s Diplomacy Pave a New Way Out?

Negotiations between Washington and Tehran may be most viable through addressing nuclear containment and establishing regional ceasefires, according to a Chinese expert. The escalating conflict has reinforced the need for diplomatic solutions, the expert said.

Potential Negotiation Entry Points

Niu Xinchun, director of the China-Arab Research Institute at Ningxia University, stated that both the U.S. and Iran are open to talks, with Washington appearing “in a much greater hurry.” However, progress hinges on significant concessions from both sides to bridge the gap between their stated positions.

“The most likely areas for concessions start with a ceasefire and the nuclear issues,” Niu said, referencing the 2015 Iran nuclear deal as a potential framework.

The U.S. withdrew from the nuclear deal in 2018 under the Trump administration, citing concerns that the agreement did not sufficiently address Iran’s missile program and regional influence. In response, Tehran began exceeding the limits set by the agreement a year later.

“Before the conflict broke out, Iran explicitly stated that the nuclear issue was on the table, whereas their missile programme and regional proxy issues were not. Iran’s policy hasn’t changed – they are still willing to discuss the nuclear programme,” Niu said.