On Tuesday, China urged calm and restraint after Iran's announcement to resumed 20% uranium enrichment at an underground nuclear facility in violation of the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, including China.
The enrichment decision, the Iranian latest violation of the agreement, coincides with the escalation of tension between Tehran and Washington in the final days of the outgoing US President Donald Trump.
Tehran began to gradually reduce its commitments to the accord in 2019, in response to Trump's withdrawal from it in 2018 and his re-imposition of US sanctions under which had been lifted under the deal.
Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said that the Iranian nuclear issue has reached a critical crossroads and has become "very complex and sensitive."
"China urges all parties to remain calm and exercise restraint, abide by the commitments of the agreement and to refrain from taking measures that could escalate tension to allow diplomatic efforts and change the status quo," she told reporters in Beijing.
On Monday, the Iranian government announced that it had begun enriching uranium up to 20% purity at its underground Fordo nuclear facility.
The move is considered a significant breach of the nuclear agreement signed with world powers in 2015.
Government spokesman Ali Rabiei said that the enriched uranium can be used to make reactor fuel but also nuclear bombs. Weapons-grade uranium is 90% pure.
Iran has suspended a number of commitments since the US abandoned the nuclear deal and reinstated sanctions.
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