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TEHRAN REFUSES TO DISMANTLE NUCLEAR SITES — TRUMP CALLS RESPONSE 'TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE'
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Beijing watches, advises Tehran quietly, waits for American exhaustion
Dominant angle identified — does not reflect unanimity of this country’s media
Beijing reads both angles through the South China Morning Post, But behind factual reporting, Beijing has its own calculus. China imports significant volumes of Iranian oil despite US sanctions, and a deal that preserves Iran's nuclear infrastructure suits Beijing — it means Iran remains a powerful, undismembered state with which China can continue to trade. Beijing also benefits from prolonged talks: each week of impasse is a week of American spending, allied impatience, and Chinese positioning as the sober alternative mediator.
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Washington — trump vows to seize Iran's uranium 'at some point'