China holds talks with Iran on nuclear issue

China holds talks with Iran on nuclear issueWu Hailong, Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister has held talks with Ali Baqeri, deputy secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council on the nuclear issues, according to a report in the Chinese media.

The talks indicate that Chine might be exerting pressure on the Islamic republic to resume negotiations with western countries over its nuclear programme. Iran is suspected of covertly developing nuclear weapons, a charge it denies and maintains that it has the right to harness civilian nuclear energy for generating power.

The Iranian government expressed its willingness to resume talks with the group of six and to strengthen cooperation with the IAEA. Mr. Wu has reportedly told Mr. Baqeri that it is a priority for Iran to resume negotiating with the U. S., Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany.

The authorities in the Islamic republic have announced a new military exercise in the Strait of Hormuz, through which a majority of the gulf oil passes to several countries. European countries have found a common ground and have agreed in principle to impose a ban on Iranian oil in order to show a united stance amid growing tensions with the Islamic republic’s government.

Western countries have started planning for alternative fuel supplies to compensate for any disrupting that may be caused by Iran’s activity in the Gulf region.