China has become more concerned about Iran: foreign minister

Reuters: China has become more concerned about developments concerning Iran, China's foreign minister said Tuesday while reiterating his country's opposition to further sanctions to rein in Iran's nuclear program. BEIJING (Reuters) – China has become more concerned about developments concerning Iran, China's foreign minister said Tuesday while reiterating his country's opposition to further sanctions to rein in Iran's nuclear program.

"I wish to point out that this issue is the subject of widespread attention in the international community," Yang Jiechi told reporters

"China has become more concerned about the current situation."

China is still seeking a diplomatic solution, Yang said.

Western powers want the U.N. Security Council to approve a resolution imposing new sanctions on Tehran but are facing some resistance from China, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel saying Monday that the time has come for new sanctions.

(Reporting by Emma Graham-Harrison; Writing by Lucy Hornby; Editing by Ken Wills)