China Calls on US to Resolve JCPOA Standoff

EghtesadOnline: The current crisis related to Iran's 2015 nuclear deal is rooted in the United States' policies and requires a change in Washington's behavior to be resolved, a Chinese diplomat said.

News ID: ۷۴۸۹۶۴

16 November 2019

"The US should quit such wrong behavior to make room for diplomatic efforts and create conditions for de-escalation," China's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Geng Shuang said at a regular press conference on Tuesday, the ministry's website reported.

The US departed last year from the nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, and imposed severe sanctions on Tehran.

After European parties proved incapable of countering the effects of US economic restrictions, Iran began to gradually scale back its commitment to the accord, according to Financial Tribune.

In the latest phase of its plan, Iran resumed uranium enrichment at the Fordow nuclear site where the activity was banned under JCPOA until 2030.

After the International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed the move in its quarterly report on Monday, the three European signatories to the deal and the EU high representative issued a statement, affirming their readiness to consider all mechanisms in JCPOA, including the dispute resolution mechanism, to resolve the issues.

The mechanism could end in the United Nations Security Council in as few as 30 days with a so-called "snap-back" of global, UN sanctions.

"It is China's consistent belief that the US unilateral withdrawal from JCPOA and maximum pressure campaign against Iran are the root cause of the current crisis," Geng said.

Nevertheless, he also called on the European side and Iran to exercise restraint and remain committed to the full and effective implementation of the agreement, and to resolve differences within the JCPOA framework.

"China … will continue to work with other parties for the political and diplomatic settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue," he said.