China ignores Russian talks of anti-Iran sanctions

China has called for more negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program after Russia suggested it may consider new sanctions against Tehran.

“We believe there is still room for diplomatic efforts and parties concerned should step up efforts,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang was quoted by AFP on Tuesday.

His remarks came after Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said Monday he was open to new anti-Iran sanctions but was hoping new punitive measures could be avoided.

“We are optimists and we are not losing the feeling that we may achieve success,” Medvedev told reporters after meeting with his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris. “Nonetheless, if it doesn’t work out … Russia is ready to consider with our other partners the question of introducing sanctions.”

President Sarkozy said Russia would be onboard with US-led efforts to punish Iran for its nuclear work as long as the measures would not “create humanitarian dramas.”

The US and its European allies have been pushing hard for tough new sanctions against Iran in a bid to force the country meet their demands over its nuclear program.

Iran, a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, says its program is directed at the civilian applications of the technology, including energy production.

The West accuses the country of seeking nuclear weaponry. The allegation, however, is yet to be validated by the UN nuclear watchdog, whose inspectors monitor Iran’s activities extensively.

UN nuclear chief Yukiya Amano said in Vienna his agency continues to verify the non-diversion of Iran’s nuclear material. He, however, accused Tehran of not fully cooperating with the watchdog.

Iran’s foreign minister, Manouchehr Mottaki, in response, said Tehran will continue to fully cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

“We have fully cooperated with the agency. This cooperation will continue,” Mottaki said.

He also welcomed calls for further negotiations over the issue.