China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jianquan presided over a routine press conference on Friday.

There were questions from reporters at the meeting:According to reports, on August 28, Britain, France and Germany submitted a notice to the UN Security Council on launching the "rapid restoration of sanctions" mechanism. According to Security Council Resolution 2231, the Security Council will decide whether to initiate "rapid resumption of sanctions" within 30 days. What is China's comment on this?

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun. Photography: Xue Wei

Guo Jiakun:Iran¡¯s nuclear issue is at a crucial crossroads. Launching a ¡°rapid resumption of sanctions¡± in the Security Council is unconstructive and would undermine the process of political diplomacy to resolve Iran¡¯s nuclear issue.

China believes that any current action by the Security Council should help promote the resumption of dialogue and negotiations, rather than creating new confrontations and causing the situation to deteriorate or even escalate.

China will continue to adhere to an objective and fair stance, actively persuade and promote talks, and play a constructive role in returning Iran's nuclear issue to the diplomatic settlement track at an early date.

Iran says it will respond.

According to Iranian media reports such as Tasnim News Agency, Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi condemned the decision of Britain, France and Germany to launch the "rapid restoration of sanctions" mechanism on the 28th local time, and said that Iran would respond appropriately to this.

The foreign ministers of Britain, France and Germany and the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy had a telephone conversation with Araghzi on the 28th, saying that the European side would inform the UN Security Council to start the "quick restoration of sanctions" mechanism. The procedure of resuming sanctions against Iraq will take 30 days, and the European side is willing to seek a diplomatic solution during this period, so as to prevent the Security Council sanctions resolution against Iraq from coming into force again.

Alagzi said the European side's resumption of the "rapid resumption of sanctions" mechanism was "without justification", "illegal and lacking any legal basis", he stressed that Iran will respond appropriately and defend its rights and interests in accordance with international law and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

Aragzi said that Iran adheres to a responsible and goodwill attitude and insists on resolving the nuclear issue through diplomatic channels; he hopes that Britain, France and Germany will adopt a responsible attitude, recognize reality clearly, and properly correct "wrong actions."

Under the 2015 Comprehensive Iran Nuclear Agreement, Iran pledged to restrict its nuclear program and the international community lifted sanctions on Iraq. The UN Security Council subsequently passed Resolution 2231 approving the Iran Nuclear Agreement, which includes the contents of the "rapid resumption of sanctions" mechanism, allowing the signatories of the Iran Nuclear Agreement to launch the mechanism in response to Iranian violations.

According to a report by Radio and Television of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the 27th, Iran and Britain, France and Germany held talks on the Iranian nuclear issue in Geneva, Switzerland on the 26th. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Garibabadi said after the talks that if Europe launches a "rapid recovery of sanctions" mechanism, Iran will stop cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

China News Service (CNS1952) is synthesized from China News Network (Reporter Zhang Su Li Jingze) and China News Service