Beijing: No harsher sanctions against Iran necessary

China on Thursday rejected issuing new, harsher sanctions against Iran for its refusal to compromise on its controversial nuclear programme, DPA reported.

"We believe there is still diplomatic room for the Iranian nuclear issue," Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said.

China, which a veto-holding permanent member of the UN Security Council, is one of Iran's key international allies in the nuclear dispute and plays an important role in the diplomatic wrangling over sanctions.

"We hope all parties concerned can put the overall interest in their mind and enhance consultation and dialogue so as to come to a peaceful solution."

Key to easing tension was to resolve the question of fuel supply for Tehran's research reactor and improve talks between Iran and the other involved parties, Qin added.

Tehran rejected a compromise brokered last year by the International Atomic Energy Agency which envisaged a swap of Iran's enriched uranium for nuclear fuel produced by France and Russia.

The West fears that Iran, which claims its nuclear programme is solely for peaceful purposes, is secretly pursuing nuclear weapons.

"China will maintain consultations with all parties concerned and continue to play a constructive role," Qin said.

The United States is intensifying efforts to enact sanctions for Iran's refusal to suspend uranium enrichment and provide clear answers about its nuclear activities, US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Wednesday.

Russia, which has long been reluctant to back tightening sanctions, is believed to now back a new round of sanctions.