Wang Yi: China to safeguard JCPOA

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged Iran to not abandon the nuclear agreement "so easily" after Iran said it would exceed its uranium stockpile limit if world powers fail to fulfil their commitments under the agreement in 10 days.

"We call on all parties to remain rational and restrained, not to take any actions to provoke the escalation of tension in the region, and not to open a Pandora's box," Wang said in Beijing during a joint press conference with visiting Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem.

Wang urged Iran to "make prudent decisions" and not "so easily abandon" the deal that aims to keep Tehran's nuclear ambitions in check. "China's determination to safeguard the comprehensive agreement has not changed," the AFP cited him as saying.

"We are willing to work with all parties to continue to make efforts for the full and effective implementation of the agreement," the Chinese minister added.

Wang said China has also "worked closely" with all parties to reconstruct the Arak heavy water reactor at a nuclear plant in the southwest of Tehran.