“China is opposed to any attempt to change the contents of the JCPOA and the Security Council Resolution 2231, and the US has no right after withdrawal from the JCPOA [Iran nuclear deal] to resort to the mechanisms planned in this regard,” Wang Yi made the remarks in a meeting with Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif via a videoconference on Wednesday, according to Tasnim News Agency.

Under Iran’s 2015 deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a UN arms embargo is due to expire in October. The United States, which exited the deal in 2018, says it wants to extend the embargo.

If the UN Security Council does not extend the embargo, Washington has threatened to trigger a so-called snapback of all UN sanctions on Iran, using a process outlined in the nuclear deal.

The remaining signatories to the nuclear deal – Russia, China, Britain, France, and Germany – have expressed their opposition to US plans.

Britain, France, and Germany said on Friday they would not back US efforts to unilaterally trigger the reimposition of United Nations sanctions on Iran, Reuters reported.

US bully-style unilateralism

In the videoconference, the Iranian and Chinese foreign ministers denounced the United States’ bully-style unilateralism and expressed decisive support for multilateralism and the principles of international law.

The top Iranian diplomat also condemned the US interference and certain Western states in the internal affairs of China, saying such an approach undermines international stability.

Trade ties

The two officials also discussed plans to facilitate trips by the businesspeople of the two countries amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Zarif stressed the importance of enhancement of the trade ties and proposed making special arrangements to facilitate visits by the businesspeople of the two countries.

Zarif further highlighted the strategic comprehensive relations between the two countries, expressing hope that the document on comprehensive cooperation would soon be signed by the two sides.

Welcoming the proposals for the expansion and facilitation of the bilateral trade ties, the Chinese foreign minister said, “These proposals, especially the reciprocal facilitation of visits by merchants, would be considered immediately.”