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While the prospect of a unique 2024 nuclear pact between Iran, Russia, and China captures attention, available reports indicate no such formal agreement exists. Instead, the three nations are forging a deeper, multifaceted strategic alignment in the energy, military, and diplomatic spheres, particularly as the framework of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) erodes.
Is an Iran Russia China energy: Unique 2024 Nuclear Deal? Emerging
Rather than a new treaty, the core of the trilateral cooperation centers on a coordinated response to the expiration of the JCPOA. According to multiple analyses, Iran, Russia, and China have jointly signaled their view that the 2015 nuclear deal will conclude in October 2025. This unified stance challenges the mandates of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and presents a united front against Western-led diplomatic pressure. This coordination reflects a shared interest in dismantling the sanctions architecture and establishing a multipolar global order.
Deepening Military and Energy Ties with Iran, Russia, and China
The partnership extends well beyond diplomatic statements into concrete military and energy collaboration. In the wake of the JCPOA’s arms embargo lapsing, Iran has turned to Moscow and Beijing for advanced military hardware. Reports indicate Russia signed a €495 million deal in late 2025 to supply Iran with Verba anti-aircraft systems. Concurrently, China is in negotiations to provide Tehran with advanced CM-302 anti-ship missiles, significantly enhancing Iran’s defensive capabilities.
On the energy front, China’s role is paramount. Beijing’s strategic interest is intrinsically linked to energy security, as it purchases over 80% of Iran’s sanctioned oil. This economic lifeline is a key component of the 25-year, $400 billion China-Iran Strategic Partnership, which secures discounted oil for China in exchange for massive investment in Iranian infrastructure. While advocating for a revived nuclear deal that ensures regional stability, China’s immediate priority remains the uninterrupted flow of energy resources.
BRICS and the Geopolitical Context of Iran, Russia, and China
Iran’s official entry into the BRICS bloc, which includes Russia and China, institutionalizes this growing alignment. The collaboration on key infrastructure, such as the Rasht–Astara railway—a vital segment of the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC)—demonstrates a tangible effort to create alternative trade routes that bypass Western control. For Iran, membership in BRICS and the deepening partnerships with Russia and China are critical tools for mitigating the impact of international sanctions, accessing new markets, and modernizing its energy sector. This strategic convergence is not defined by a single 2024 deal, but by a series of interlocking economic, military, and diplomatic initiatives aimed at reshaping regional and global influence.
Sources
- Fact Sheet: The Iran Deal, Then and Now
- Cooperation Between China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia
- China and Russia Align with Iran as Nuclear Deal Runs Out
- Iran Turned to Russia, China for Missiles After 12-Day War
- The Iran nuclear deal China wants
- What Is the Iran Nuclear Deal?
- China is playing the long game over Iran
- Iran, Russia, China question IAEA’s mandate after end of …
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