Iran's chief nuclear envoy says China agrees with his nation's position that sanctions are no longer a useful means of resolving the standoff with the West over Iran's nuclear program.
Saeed Jalili made the comments Friday in Beijing after talks with high-ranking Chinese officials, including Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi.
Chinese officials did not directly address his remarks, but an earlier Chinese Foreign Ministry statement called for the nuclear dispute to be resolved through dialogue and negotiation, and for all sides to show "flexibility."
The Obama administration announced this week that China will be a full participant in U.N. Security Council negotiations on a new set of sanctions against Iran for its controversial nuclear program.
U.S. President Barack Obama called for cooperation on the issue in a phone call late Thursday to Chinese President Hu Jintao.
The United States and its allies suspect Iran is enriching uranium to develop nuclear weapons, a charge the Islamic Republic denies.
The phone call between Mr. Obama and Mr. Hu occurred hours after China announced its president would attend a major two-day nuclear security summit in Washington beginning April 12.
Relations between China and the United States have been strained over a number of issues, including trade, $6.4 billion in U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, and the value of the currency.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
