Beijing Opposes EU Sanctions on Iran

China said it opposes Europe’s “illegal unilateral” sanctions on Iran over alleged supply of drones for Russia to use in its war on Ukraine. 
Those sanctions have been imposed without the United Nations Security Council mandate and have no basis in international law, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin. 
“Under the current circumstances, we call for calm and restraint from all parties concerned,” he said at a regular press briefing on Friday. 
Beijing encourages and supports all diplomatic efforts that are conducive to the peaceful settlement of the Ukraine crisis and efforts to work together toward de-escalation, he added.
Britain and the European Union sanctioned three Iranian senior military commanders and an Iranian drone-making company on Thursday, accusing them of being involved in the development and delivery of unmanned aerial vehicles to Russia. 
The EU also signaled that it intended to impose “restrictive measures” against two more individuals and two other entities on the same grounds.
Tehran rejects the claims, describing such allegations as “destructive”. 
Moscow also denies it is using Iranian-made drones in Ukraine. Russia’s Foreign Ministry said Thursday that the West was seeking to put “pressure” on Tehran.
The three European powers have also been trying to link the issue to UN Security Council Resolution 2231 that endorsed Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
“We would welcome an investigation by the UN Secretariat team responsible for monitoring the implementation of UNSCR 2231,” the Britain, France and Germany said in the letter.
Under the resolution, a conventional arms embargo on Iran was in place until October 2020, but western diplomats said the resolution still includes restrictions on missiles and related technologies that last until October 2023 and that encompass the export and purchase of advanced military systems such as drones.
Iran says western countries are suggesting a misleading interpretation of the resolution while the issue around the Ukraine war is completely irrelevant to the international document. 
Accusations of breaching the UNSCR 2231 come as negotiations on the revival of the JCPOA have been at a stalemate for months. 
The deal went out of shape in 2018 when the United States pulled out and reimposed tough sanctions on Tehran, which reacted by rowing back on its commitments. 
Talks have been underway for more than a year to work out how both sides can resume compliance, but are stalled over final differences.
Iran says it would not compromise on its red lines, stressing that the conclusion of negotiations hinges on the US will to make political decisions.