China urges US not to open ‘Pandora’s box’ by putting more pressure on Iran
- Foreign Minister Wang Yi appeals for restraint after America sends 1,000 extra troops to Middle East following attacks on tankers
- Iran’s threats to violate nuclear deal in response to US pressure may force Beijing to rethink its strategy in the region
China has called on the United States to change its “maximum pressure” strategy towards Iran, warning it not to open a “Pandora’s box” in the Middle East.
Iran this week threatened to violate an international nuclear deal that Washington has already abandoned, raising fears in Beijing that events will overtake its strategy towards the region.
On Monday the US moved an additional 1,000 troops to the Middle East in response to an attack on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman last week.
The US has accused Iran of being behind the attacks – something Tehran has denied.
On Tuesday Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged Washington not to escalate tensions further, calling on all sides to “remain rational and exercise restraint, and not take any escalatory actions that irritate regional tensions, and not open a Pandora’s box”.
“In particular, the US side should alter its extreme pressure methods,” he said. “Any unilateral behaviour has no basis in international law.”