AP, BEIJINGIran’s foreign minister has praised his country’s relations with China during talks with his Chinese counterpart in Beijing amid heightened tensions and efforts by Tehran to keep its world markets open following the US’ withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal. “We consider [China] one of our closest partners in the world,” Zarif said in opening remarks at the start of the meeting. Wang pledged to maintain the nuclear deal and work with Iran to eliminate “complicated disturbing factors,” Xinhua said. The talks came after Saudi Arabia accused Iran of being behind a drone attack that shut down a key oil pipeline in the kingdom. A local newspaper linked to the Al Saud royal family on Thursday called for the US to launch “surgical strikes” on Tehran.

Source: Taipei Times May 18, 2019 15:56 UTC