China on Thursday called for the immediate lifting of the sanctions against Iran given the severe outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic, saying the unilateral move hinders Iran and the international community in the fight against the virus and will only make the situation worse.

The outbreak hit the Middle East country severely with 92 deaths and 2,922 confirmed cases of infection as of Thursday. Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif on Monday made a plea on Twitter for countries and the World Health Organization (WHO) to assist Iran in fighting the coronavirus, saying the country urgently needs test kits, face masks, ventilators and other supplies due to the economic blockade.

On Thursday's regular briefing, spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry Zhao Lijian reiterated China's opposition to the economic sanctions upon Iran, saying the epidemic is "a common challenge for all mankind" which requires joint efforts from the international community to fight against.

While urging the relevant party to lift the sanctions immediately, he stressed that China, as Iran's comprehensive strategic partner, will continue to offer necessary assistance and engage actively with the Iranian side on cooperation against COVID-19.

The first batch of medical supplies donated by China arrived in Iran on February 29 and contained 5,000 test kits and 250,000 masks. Four disease control experts from China were also sent to Iran on the same day, the spokesperson noted.

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He also promised that China will actively engage in regional and global cooperation and work with the WHO to safeguard global public health and security.

(Cover: Iranian Deputy Health Minister Iraj Harirchi, who has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, wipes sweat off his face, during a press conference on February 24, 2020. /AFP)