China warns US to stop ‘extreme pressure’ on Iran

China has denounced the US for exerting “extreme pressure” on Iran, warning Washington against opening a “Pandora’s box” in the Middle East, after the Pentagon announced a new troop deployment to the region amid rising tensions with Tehran.

The Pentagon had on Monday announced that the US will send 1,000 additional US forces and more military resources to the Middle East.

Speaking in Beijing after a joint press conference with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem on Tuesday, Chinese State Councillor Wang Yi said the United States should not use “extreme pressure” to resolve issues with Iran.

“We call 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,” Wang said.

“In particular, the U.S. side should alter its extreme pressure methods. Any unilateral behavior has no basis in international law. Not only will it not resolve the problem, it will only create an even greater crisis,” said Wang.

“We understand that relevant parties may have different concerns but first of all the comprehensive nuclear deal should be properly implemented,” he added. “We hope that Iran is cautious with its decision-making and not lightly abandon this agreement.”

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was signed between Iran and six world states — namely the US, Germany, France, Britain, Russia and China. Washington, however, left the JCPOA last May.

The US blamed Iran for last week’s attacks on two oil tankers in the Sea of Oman, without any evidence. It however released a grainy video and some images as proof of what it calls an Iranian involvement in the incident.