A rise in tensions in the Middle East owing to the US
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.
Tension between Iran and the US has escalated over the past
months, 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 re-imposed 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.
Chinese President 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.
He reiterated, “The development of the situation is
worrying.”
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”.
