China’s Xi says Iran tensions worrying, calls for restraint
http://www.hrlnews.com/2019/06/chinas-xi-says-iran-tensions-worrying.html
A rise in tensions in the Middle East owing to U.S. pressure on Iran
is worrying and all parties need to exercise restraint, Chinese
President Xi Jinping told Russian media ahead of a visit to the country.
Tensions between Iran and the United States have escalated in the
past month, a year after the United States pulled out of a deal between
Iran and global powers to curb Tehran’s nuclear program in return for
lifting sanctions.
Washington reimposed sanctions last year and tightened them sharply
at the start of last month, ordering all countries to halt imports of
Iranian oil. It has also hinted at military confrontation, sending extra
forces to the region to counter what it describes as Iranian threats.
Xi told TASS news agency and Rossiyskaya Gazeta newspaper that
because of the “extreme pressure” Washington has put on Tehran and the
unilateral sanctions, tensions have continued to rise in the Middle
East.
“The development of the situation is worrying,” Xi said, according to
a transcript published by China’s Foreign Ministry ahead of his arrival
in Russia on Wednesday.
The Iran nuclear deal should be fully implemented and respected, as
it is of crucial importance for peace and stability in the Middle East
and non-proliferation, Xi added.
“China and Russia’s views and positions on the Iran nuclear issue are
highly aligned, and both hope that all relevant parties remain rational
and exercise restraint, step up dialogue and consultations and lower
the temperature on the present tense situation,” he said.
China has been angered by U.S. threats against countries and
companies that violate U.S. sanctions by importing Iranian oil. China
and Iran have close energy ties.
Xi did not directly address the oil sanctions issue, but appeared to
allude to them by saying: “China will continue to firmly safeguard its
own legitimate and lawful rights and interests”.