China Supporting Further Implementation of JCPOA - Top Military Official

BEIJING (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 08th September, 2018) China is committed to further implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) known as Iran nuclear deal, as this agreement contributes to maintenance of peace in the middle East, Chinese Central Military Commission (CMC) Vice Chairman Gen. Zhang Youxia said on Saturday.

"China is ready to work with Iran to deepen strategic mutual trust and promote relations between the two countries and the armies ... The JCPOA is an international agreement, which is valid and recognized by the United Nations ... The JCPOA contributes to the maintenance of peace and stability in the Middle East, as well as to the preservation of the international non-proliferation regime, it is necessary to continue its implementation. China is ready along with all the interested parties, including Iran, to make the necessary efforts for that," Zhang said at a meeting with Iranian Defense Minister Amir Hatami.

Hatami, on his part, said that Iran is ready to strengthen business cooperation with China in various fields and to promote the continuous development of relations between the two countries and the armed forces of the two states.

"Iran is grateful to China for its constant support on issues of Tehran's major interest," Hatami said.

The 2015 Iran nuclear deal stipulates the gradual removal of the West's sanctions against Tehran in exchange for the Middle Eastern country abandoning its nuclear weapons program.

The United States announced its withdrawal from the multilateral accord in May, which led to the reinstatement of the first round of its anti-Iranian sanctions in August.

In the wake of this move, parties to the Iranian nuclear deal � Russia, Germany, China, France, Iran, the United Kingdom and the European Union � have reaffirmed their commitment to the agreement.