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Discussing sanctions against Iran was counterproductive, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said yesterday, calling for further talks between Teheran and the international community.

Yang who was speaking at a conference during his visit to France said Teheran's negotiating position was still evolving and he wanted to see more direct talks with Iran.

"To talk about sanctions at the moment will complicate the situation and might stand in the way of finding a diplomatic solution," Yang said.

Western powers are pushing for a fourth round of UN sanctions against Iran to try to force it to enter into negotiations over its nuclear ambitions.

Western governments fear that Iran wants to produce nuclear weapons, but Teheran says its atomic program is purely for peaceful purposes, however, it is restricting the UN International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) from inspecting its sites.

"China firmly supports the international nuclear non-proliferation regime," Yang said. "But all countries, Iran included if they obey IAEA rules, have a right to a peaceful use of nuclear energy."

Earlier this week Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said in an interview broadcast live on state television that Iran was willing to give the "world powers" low-enriched uranium to be returned further purified for reactor fuel.

Some Western countries said the move could be a delaying tactic, but Yang said it signaled talks should continue.

"The whole situation is still evolving, we think it is very important to concentrate on diplomatic interaction. We should seek every chance for an appropriate and mutually acceptable solution to this issue through dialogue and consultation."

However, French Prime Minister Francois Fillon said on Wednesday time was running out for a political solution to the standoff over Iran's nuclear ambitions and Paris would press for "strong sanctions" against Iran at the United Nations.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said last week Washington was trying to persuade Beijing it was time to get tough with Iran on its nuclear programme.

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（中國日報網英語點津 Helen 編輯）

About the broadcaster:

Lee Hannon is Chief Editor at China Daily with 15-years experience in print and broadcast journalism. Born in England, Lee has traveled extensively around the world as a journalist including four years as a senior editor in Los Angeles. He now lives in Beijing and is happy to move to China and join the China Daily team.