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Barack Obama shakes hands with Hu Jintao during his visit to China in November
Barack Obama with Hu Jintao during his visit to China last November. Photograph: Feng Li/Getty Images
Barack Obama with Hu Jintao during his visit to China last November. Photograph: Feng Li/Getty Images

Iran says sanctions will not stop nuclear programme

This article is more than 14 years old
Tehran remains defiant as US steps up efforts to secure China's backing for sanctions

International sanctions will not stop Iran's nuclear programme, Tehran's most senior nuclear negotiator has said in the face of growing pressure from China and the US over Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Following talks in Beijing with Yang Jiechi, China's foreign minister, Saeed Jalili said China agreed that sanctions were "not effective", Reuters reported.

Earlier this week China had signalled that it would back US calls for a draft UN resolution to impose sanctions against Tehran.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang said: "China expresses its serious concern about the Iran nuclear issue situation. China is in close contact with relevant parties and is striving for a proper settlement of the issue through diplomatic means."

The defiant message from Iran's negotiator came as Barack Obama stepped up his efforts to secure Beijing's backing for sanctions with an hour-long phone call to the Chinese president, Hu Jintao. During the call Obama "underscored the importance of working together to ensure that Iran lives up to its international obligations", a White House statement said.

China has a veto on the UN security council and its support would be vital to passing a resolution against Iran. Tehran insists its nuclear programme is only for peaceful power generation.

China traditionally opposes sanctions as it depends on Iran for 11% of its energy needs. But there is speculation that Beijing is willing to drop its opposition in return for US officials not citing China for undervaluing its currency in an annual report due on 15 April, days after Hu's visit.

US officials say a Chinese representative made a commitment in a phone call on Wednesday to discuss the specifics of a potential security council resolution.

The Obama administration is hoping to get a UN resolution on Iran passed by the end of this month.

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