China has called for all parties to work towards a ‘diplomatic solution’ on the issue of Iran’s nuclear programme, following a row over the expansion of a US sanctions blacklist earlier this week.
Noting that the framework agreement deal signed by Iran was "an important step", Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying, stated,
"All parties should be committed to a diplomatic solution on the issue and strike while the iron is hot so that we can take the first steps as soon as possible".
The statement comes as the Iranian delegation left talks with the "P5+1" group (US, UK, France, China, Russia and Germany) earlier this week, following an expansion of the US sanctions blacklist.
Senior Iranian diplomat Abbas Araqchi slammed the move, saying,
"This is a game of double standards - it is not in accord with the talks we have had and it is against the spirit of the Geneva agreement".
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