Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called on all relevant parties to increase their urgency and make an all-out effort to push for a political and diplomatic settlement on the Iranian nuclear issue. 

Wang made the remarks in a meeting on Wednesday with foreign affairs officials from the European Union (EU), Iran, Russia, France, Germany and Britain during the United Nations (UN) General Assembly.

He said extreme pressure from the United States' on Iran has led to Iran's nuclear crisis, and leaving the situation unchecked will trigger even bigger crises. 

In order to solve the crisis, Wang said relevant parties should uphold fundamental principles of multilateralism. 

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), endorsed by the UN Security Council, is an important outcome of multilateral diplomacy, stressed Wang. 

Wang said all parties should continue to honor the commitments of the JCPOA. 

Iran should resume implementing the deal, while other parties should make every effort to safeguard Iran's legitimate economic benefits, Wang pointed out. 

China will continue its legitimate economic, trade and energy cooperation with Iran, push ahead with the Arak heavy water reactor renovation project, and support EU-initiated payment system to facilitate trade with Iran, said Wang. 

He called on relevant parties to stick to the right approach of resolving differences through consultation. 

China stands for a solution based on the principle of gradual progress, equality and mutual benefit, Wang noted. 

Problems related to the implementation of the deal should be solved via the mechanism of the JCPOA Joint Commission, Wang said, adding that China firmly opposes unilateral sanctions imposed by the United States on Iran. 

The remaining parties to the Iran nuclear deal are committed to preserving the pact though it is "increasingly difficult,"  European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini told reporters after a meeting with the parties at the United Nations.

"It is in the interests of all to remain committed to the deal, but it is becoming increasingly difficult," Mogherini said.

She said all parties had agreed to continue efforts to implement the deal, which U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew from in May 2018.

Opinion: EU can move forward with Iran nuclear deal without U.S.

The possibility of a meeting between Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and U.S. President Donald Trump is "zero" and the United States should lift sanctions and return to the 2015 nuclear deal if it wants to talk, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told Reuters on Wednesday.

Speaking ahead of a ministerial meeting with the remaining parties in the nuclear deal, Zarif said: "Diplomacy is the only way to resolve issues ...  this meeting gives us an opportunity to review where we are."

(With input from Xinhua, Reuters)

(Cover: Iran locals protest against Washington's decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal in May 2018. /Reuters Photo)