Beijing confirms opposition to US sanctions on Iran, eyes regional forum
>>SHANGHAI: China reaffirmed its opposition to unilateral sanctions by the United States against Iran at a meeting between Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Iranian counterpart, while backing efforts to revive a 2015 nuclear deal between major powers and Iran.
A summary of Friday’s meeting between Mr Wang and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian in the city of Wuxi, in Jiangsu province, was posted on China’s foreign ministry website yesterday.
During his visit, Mr Amirabdollahian is set to announce the launch of a 25-year cooperation agreement between the Islamic Republic and Communist-ruled China.
Mr Wang, who is also State Councillor, said the United States bore primary responsibility for the ongoing difficulties with Iran, having unilaterally withdrawn from a 2015 nuclear deal between the major powers and Iran.
Under the terms of that deal, in return for the lifting of international sanctions, Iran would limit uranium enrichment activity, making it harder to develop nuclear arms — although Tehran denies having plans for nuclear weapons.
Mr Wang said China would firmly support a resumption on negotiations on a nuclear pact.
But he said China firmly opposes illegal unilateral sanctions against Iran, political manipulation through topics including human rights, and interference in Iran’s internal affairs.
The US reimposed sanctions that damaged Iran’s economy after withdrawing from the nuclear pact in 2018, saying the terms did not do enough to curb its nuclear activities, ballistic missile program and regional influence.
A year later, Iran began to gradually breach the accord, rebuilding stockpiles of enriched uranium, refining it to higher fissile purity and installing advanced centrifuges to speed up output.
Iran and the US remain locked in talks over whether a compromise can be found to renew the deal and dispel fears of a wider Middle East War. A source said Friday many issues remain unresolved.
Mr Wang said China hopes to set up a dialogue mechanism with Gulf countries to discuss regional security issues.