China and Russia have reaffirmed their commitment to the Iran nuclear deal, saying that they will continue to cooperate with Tehran.
China values its relations with Iran and is willing to continue to advance mutually beneficial cooperation, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in a phone conversation with Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Friday, Xinhua reported, citing a statement from the Chinese diplomat.
The 2015 deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, in which Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear work in return for the lifting of most western sanctions, is in line with the international community's "common interest", Wang said.
Adherence to the accord also conforms to the fundamental interest of Iran, he said, adding, "We have openly indicated that we oppose the wrong practices of unilateral sanctions and 'long-arm jurisdiction' in international relations."
*** China's Role
Zarif briefed his Chinese counterpart on the latest developments related to the JCPOA and commended Beijing's constructive role in saving the agreement, the report said.
Tehran is willing to strengthen coordination with all concerned parties, including China, to properly deal with the new situation concerning the nuclear issue, he added.
Beijing has cultivated close commercial links with Tehran, especially in the energy sector.
China's ties with Tehran are open, transparent and lawful, its foreign ministry said earlier this month, after US President Donald Trump said companies doing business with Iran would be barred from the US.
In May pulled out of the JCPOA, ignoring pleas from world powers that had co-sponsored the deal, including Washington's main European allies, Britain, France and Germany, as well as Russia and China.
*** Russian Support
Russia's Foreign Ministry issued a statement on the progress of the nuclear agreement on Friday, reiterating the country's "decisive commitment to take all the necessary measures to preserve and fully implement the JCPOA."
Russia continues to consistently implement its commitments under the JCPOA, it said, adding that the Rosatom State Nuclear Energy Corporation is carrying out a series of projects designed to ensure compliance with the terms of the deal.
"A bilateral high-tech Russian-Iranian project to reconfigure two centrifuge cascades at a former uranium enrichment plant in Fordow to produce stable isotopes is being successfully implemented. Stable isotopes will be used for industrial and medical purposes."
*** Fuel Stockpiles
The statement said fuel stockpiles with enrichment levels of up to 20% for the Tehran Research Reactor are being stored in Russia and are being returned to Iran in batches of under 5 kg at Iran's request and after receiving confirmation from the International Atomic Energy Agency that all JCPOA prerequisites outlined for doing so have been met.
The first batch was transferred to Iran in early 2017 and preparations are underway to send a second batch, the ministry added.
"In addition, Russia has confirmed its willingness to assist Iran, on an as-needed basis, in managing the surplus low-enriched uranium, the reserves of which are not to exceed 300 kg in Iran. We are also providing various types of assistance in implementing Annex III to the JCPOA, which contains a list of specific areas of cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran for the peaceful use of atomic energy."
The cooperation with Iran is being carried out strictly in accordance with the JCPOA terms and UN Security Council Resolution 2231–which endorses the deal–and under full IAEA control, the statement said.