China has called for further talks on Iran’s nuclear programme to get the process “back on track” after European countries reimposed sanctions on Tehran a few weeks ago.
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“China appreciates Iran’s recent reaffirmation that it has no intention of developing nuclear weapons, and supports Iran’s right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy,” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi in a phone call on Wednesday.
Wang warned there was currently a “deadlock” over the issue, which is “not in the common interests of the international community”.
“[China] hopes that all parties will maintain dialogue and communication to bring the Iranian nuclear issue back onto the track of dialogue and negotiation,” he said.
In September, Britain, France, Germany and the European Union activated a “snapback” mechanism to reintroduce sweeping United Nations economic and military sanctions on Tehran 10 years after they were lifted.
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The signatories to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal accused Iran of “continued nuclear escalation” and a lack of cooperation.