China's chief nuclear negotiator says Beijing is insistent that a final nuclear deal be signed between Iran and the major powers.
Wang Qun made the remarks after a meeting with Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior advisor to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, in Tehran on Tuesday, ISNA reported.
The Chinese official praised Iran's "positive" cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and said Iran has fully cooperated with inspectors of the UN nuclear agency and met it commitments under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
Iran and the P5+1 (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany) are in talks on a final comprehensive nuclear deal to resolve the dispute over Tehran's nuclear program, which has dragged on for over a decade. They have set a November 24 target date to hammer out a long-term settlement, which would impose temporary constraints on Iran's nuclear work in exchange for the phasing-out of sanctions.
Strategic Ties
In his meeting with the Chinese nuclear negotiator, Velayati said Tehran attaches high importance to its relations with Beijing, adding that Iran and China should have "strategic relations" as the Leader has stated.
He described the relations between the two countries as "positive" and said there is no obstacle or limit to expansion of bilateral ties.
Commenting on nuclear talks with the six major powers, the Leader's advisor said efforts should be made so that the negotiations will "move forward within an appropriate framework."
He criticized some members of the P5+1 group for adopting double standards on nuclear talks and trying to exert pressure on Iran.
After the meeting, Velayati told reporters Iran has learned how to "live under sanctions", expressing hope that the policies adopted by the government would help neutralize sanctions.
