Iran Press/Iran news: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying slammed Washington's decision at a press briefing in Beijing on Thursday.
“We have taken note of the statement of the US side and the reaction of Mr. Zarif himself. The position of the Chinese side on this issue is very clear. China opposes unilateral US actions ... We think it is not facilitating the solution of the problem,” Hua said.
In separate statements on Wednesday, the US Treasury announced the imposition of sanctions against Zarif because he “acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran”.
Back on June 24, the US President Donald Trump announced new sanctions against Iran, targeting Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and top commanders of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC).
EU to keep working with the Iranian FM
The European Union has also regretted the US decision, stating that it intends to keep working with the Iranian foreign minister.
“We regret this decision, and from our side, we will continue to work with Mr. Zarif as Iran's most senior diplomat, and in view of the importance of maintaining diplomatic channels", Carlos Martin Ruiz de Gordejuela, the spokesman of the European Commission for the international cooperation and development, said.
Moreover, Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia to the United Nations, Dmitry Polyanskiy, slammed the US move to impose sanctions on Zarif, arguing that the measure will block the way for any dialogue.
Polyanskiy described sanctions as against diplomacy, stressing that Moscow is against any type of bans, as they do not help find a solution.
Separately, France expressed concern over US sanctions on Iran's foreign minister, emphasizing that it disagrees with the decision along with Britain and Germany.
“We consider that all diplomatic channels should stay open, particularly in a context of high tensions,” the French Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
UN: a minor miscalculation a major confrontation
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also demanded “maximum restraint at all levels.” and said he has delivered that message to leaders publicly and privately.
“A minor miscalculation could lead to a major confrontation,” the UN chief warned.
Guterres urged all parties to respect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hurmuz and adjacent waterways, saying that “the last thing the world needs is a major confrontation in the Persian Gulf that will have devastating implications on global security and the global economy.”
Tensions have been running high between Tehran and Washington since last year, when Trump unilaterally withdrew the US from the Iran nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and unleashed the “toughest ever” sanctions against the Islamic Republic.
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