China can aid in clinching nuclear agreement: Iran President

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (right) with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Tehran, Iran on 15 February 2015 [Xinhua]

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (right) with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Tehran, Iran on 15 February 2015 [Xinhua]

Beijing has urged Iran to strike a deal on its nuclear program as an agreement now would be in Tehran’s interests.

“Talks on the Iran nuclear issue face a historic opportunity, and striking a comprehensive deal on schedule is the trend of the times and the desire of the people,” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Iranian counterpart, according to a Chinese Foreign Ministry statement issued on Monday.

“Reaching comprehensive agreement is beneficial to Iran upholding its own legal rights, including the right to the peaceful use of nuclear power, and for the people of Iran to throw off the difficulties of sanctions as early as possible and focus on energetically developing the economy,” Wang added during a trip to Tehran.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Sunday Beijing could be a crucial presence in the final rounds of talks.

“Under the current circumstances, a final agreement can be reached in a short time if there is sufficient political will in the other party; and an effective presence by China [in the nuclear talks] can help further shorten that time,” Rouhani said in a meeting with the visiting Chinese Foreign Minister on Sunday.

Iran denies it wants to develop nuclear weapons and insists its programme is peaceful.

Two deadlines for reaching a permanent agreement on Iran’s nuclear program have passed.

China, Russia, Britain, France, US and Germany are the P5+1 negotiating with Tehran.

Iran and the P5+1 countries now seek to reach a high-level political agreement by March 1 and to confirm the full technical details of the accord by July 1.

 

 TBP and Agencies

 

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