TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has said that Iran welcomes China’s role in implementing a plan to reconstruct the Arak heavy-water reactor.

China played a “constructive” role in the nuclear talks and the country should continue to play a positive role in implementing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, he said during a joint press conference with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on Tuesday.

He also said that the governments are duty-bound to implement their commitments in the international areas and the U.S. government is committed to removing the sanctions.

The U.S. commitments will not be changed after changing the U.S. president, he added.

Zarif also expressed hope that Iran-China relations would be expanded.

China has been a friend in hard times for Iran, he said, adding Iran expects China to continue it positive role into the implementation of the JCPOA.

Elsewhere, he said that crises in the Middle East region will be settled through “political” solution.

The Chinese foreign minister urged the 5+1 group (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany) to abide by their commitments in the nuclear deal.

Wang said that the nuclear agreement will contribute to establishing peace and stability in the region.

He also called for expansion of relations between Iran and China.

On July 14, Iran and the six major powers finalized the JCPOA in Vienna.

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