China urges ‘dialogue’ to resolve Iran nuclear issue as new sanctions loom

Beijing has renewed its call for a political and diplomatic resolution to the Iran nuclear issue as Tehran faces fresh economic sanctions from the United States.

In a call with deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi on Sunday, Chinese foreign vice-minister Ma Zhaoxu said China hoped that all parties concerned would “remain committed to resolving the issue through political and diplomatic means and actively create conditions for an early resumption of dialogue and negotiations”.

“China will continue to uphold an objective and fair position, actively promote peace and dialogue and play a constructive role in this regard,” Ma said, according to a Chinese foreign ministry statement.

The statement quoted Gharibabadi as saying that Iran was willing to continue strengthening communication and coordination with China.

Beijing has consistently supported a political and diplomatic resolution to the Iran nuclear issue and sought to revive the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, a deal aimed at limiting Tehran’s nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief.

The US withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018 under the first Donald Trump administration.