New sanctions on Iran will not help, China says

"We believe that under the current circumstances, we should... step up diplomatic efforts and realize resumption of talks with Iran at an early date," AFP quoted Jiang Yu as saying on Tuesday.

"Sanctions... will not help and will not contribute to the diplomatic efforts for the resumption of talks," she added.

Last week, the five permanent members of the UN Security Council -- the U.S., Britain, Russia, France, and China -- plus Germany held a meeting in Frankfurt to discuss the latest developments in Iran's nuclear program.

The Western powers of the 5+1 group had declared that they would give the Iran nuclear talks until September, warning that they would consider new sanctions against Iran if they fail to halt Tehran's nuclear program through talks.

Tehran has repeatedly declared that it will never relinquish the Iranian nation's legitimate right to a civilian nuclear energy program under Western pressure.