The Chinese Commerce Ministry says China will make efforts to safeguard the 2015 Iran nuclear deal that the US abandoned in 2018 under former president Donald Trump.

According to reports, speaking at a news briefing on Thursday, Commerce Ministry Spokesman Gao Feng also said China will defend the legitimate interests of Sino-Iranian relations, noting that Beijing has not received notices of sanctions on Iranian oil from the Biden administration.

The remarks came after Reuters reported that Iran has “indirectly” moved record volumes of oil into China in recent months, amid global hopes that the United States’ illegal sanctions on Iran would be lifted under the new US administration.

China and Russia have been vocal supporters of Iran’s position since Biden took office. Both of the world powers maintain friendly ties with Iran.

Meanwhile, Iran and China are working to finalize the 25-year Sino-Iranian Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which was announced in a joint statement during a visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Tehran in 2016.

SS