China urges Iran to cooperate with IAEA: Xinhua

BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s foreign minister urged Iran to
cooperate with the global nuclear watchdog and also said the
deepening dispute over Iran’s atomic activities should be
defused by negotiations, Xinhua news agency reported on
Tuesday.

Li Zhaoxing made the comments in New York on Monday after a
meeting of all five foreign ministers of U.N. Security Council
permanent members and of Germany, Xinhua said.

“We hope Iran will fully cooperate with the International
Atomic Energy Agency and clarify the related remaining issues
so it can restore the confidence of the international
community,” Li said.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice hosted the meeting
to seek consensus on a U.N. resolution demanding Iran end
uranium enrichment, which the Western powers say is pitched
toward creating the ability to make nuclear weapons. Iran says
its nuclear ambitions are legitimate and entirely peaceful.

Li repeated China’s frequent call for restraint from all
sides, and his comments offered no clear sign that China has
shifted from its opposition to Washington’s proposed resolution
on the grounds it may pave the way for sanctions or military
strikes against Iran.