China hopes breakthrough in Iran nuclear deal talks
Beijing, Jan 15 (EFE).- China hopes that international dialog on the jeopardized Iranian nuclear deal will achieve some breakthrough soon to revive the pact signed between Tehran and world powers, the Chinese foreign ministry said Saturday.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed the hope on Friday night during his meeting with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in east China’s Jiangsu province.
The visit is the first to China by an Iranian minister since new President Ebrahim Raisi took charge in August last year.
The foreign ministry said, in a statement, that Wang told the visiting foreign minister that China was firmly opposed to “illegal unilateral sanctions against Iran,” political manipulation by foreign powers on the pretext of human rights, and gross interference in the internal affairs of other countries.
The Chinese foreign minister blamed the US for the “current difficult situation” on the Iranian nuclear situation.
He said the US unilaterally withdrew from the comprehensive agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue and should take responsibility and correct its mistakes as soon as possible.
“China will firmly support the resumption of the negotiation process for the implementation of the (nuclear pact), and continue to participate constructively in the follow-up negotiations.”
The foreign minister hoped that all parties would meet halfway in advancing the political and diplomatic settlement process.
The Iranian minister said his country was committed to talks for an agreement.
The eighth round of talks resumed after the New Year holidays to salvage the stalled nuclear deal, which offered Iran sanctions relief for curbs on its controversial nuclear program.
The United States left the pact in May 2018 and imposed new sanctions against Iran.
Iran responded with high-grade uranium enrichment. Iranian authorities also limited access to its nuclear plants for experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Friday he was optimistic about a new pact on the Iranian nuclear program within “the next few weeks” amid warnings that the window for reaching an agreement was closing fast.
Iran and the US, Britain, France, Germany, Russia, and China have been in talks in Vienna to revive the deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
He said the talks needed to be accelerated and agreed with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian’s warning that if Iran became a nuclear power, “then we will not have achieved anything.”
“We need to bring the US back into the agreement and the Iranians also have to comply.” EFE
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