Britain and China said Monday they regretted the U.S. decision to reimpose sanctions on Iran.
“We regret the reimposition of sanctions by the U.S. We continue to believe that the Iran nuclear deal makes the world a safer place and our position remains that as long as Iran continues to meet its obligations under the deal by respecting strict limits on its nuclear activity, we will be committed to it too,” Prime Minister Theresa May’s spokesman said.
“As such we continue to fully support expanding our trade relationship with Iran and encourage UK businesses to take advantage of commercial opportunities that arise.”
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters Monday that the accord “should be comprehensively and effectively implemented” despite the fact that the U.S pulled out of it in May.
Hua said: “We regret this decision by the U.S.”
She added that the international community objects to unilateral sanctions such as those brought by the U.S.
She also said China stood with those nations that have vowed to keep the agreement alive despite the U.S. withdrawal, and said Iran has been “strictly fulfilling its obligations” under the accord.
Hua urged all sides to keep in mind “long-term interests, fulfill their obligations and responsibilities and choose to stand on the right side of history.”
The U.S. has restored sanctions lifted under a 2015 nuclear deal negotiated by the administration of President Barack Obama and five other world powers. It added 300 new designations in Iran’s oil, shipping, insurance and banking sectors.
China said it regrets the U.S. decision to re-impose sanctions on Iran but will continue to uphold the nuclear deal Beijing agreed to as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.