China calls for fresh talks on Iran’s nuclear programme to end ‘deadlock’
Foreign Minister Wang Yi expresses support for Tehran after Britain, France and Germany’s decision to reimpose sanctions
“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 a “deadlock” over the issue, which was “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.