Iran, China Urge US to Return to JCPOA, Lift Sanctions
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Top diplomats from Iran and China have emphasized that the US’ return to the 2015 nuclear deal and the removal of sanctions on Tehran are necessary conditions for breaking the deadlock, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araqchi and his Chinese counterpart Ma Zhaoxu held a telephone conversation on Monday.
"The main topic of the conversation was an exchange of views on the Iran nuclear program. The sides stressed that the situation around the Iranian dossier is rapidly changing, and there are both opportunities and challenges. The speedy return of the United States to the JCPOA and the lifting of sanctions on Iran are the key to breaking the deadlock over the Iranian nuclear program," the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.
The diplomats noted that the countries concerned should seize the opportunity to promote a political and diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issue and protect peace and stability in the Middle East, the statemen added, Sputnik reported.
The conversation came as the US said that it would accept an invitation to attend an EU-proposed meeting of signatories to the JCPOA.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has ruled out the possibility of any formal meeting with the US within the framework of the 2015 nuclear deal since Washington has withdrawn from the JCPOA.
Tehran has made it clear that the US government must lift the sanctions in a verifiable manner in order to rejoin the nuclear deal.
