BEIJING (TASS) — Washington’s potential sanctions against Russia and China in case obstacles are created to restore U.S. restrictions against Iran must be considered illegal since the United States has withdrawn from the Iranian nuclear deal and has stripped itself of any jurisdiction to make claims on the issue, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said Thursday.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is heading to the UN headquarters in New York on Thursday to inform the Security Council about Washington’s decision to launch the process of reinstating anti-Iranian sanctions, which will come into force in 30 days. This move comes after a U.S. draft resolution on extending the arms embargo against Iran did not secure enough votes at the Security Council on August 14: most countries abstained from the vote, while Russia and China voted against.

In reaction, Lijian told at a regular briefing: “The United States earlier declared its withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and has no due competence for demanding sanctions.” According to him, this Chinese stance “gained broad recognition among members of the international community.” “We are against one-sided measures […] and demand the US respect the rights of other states”, Zhao Lijian said.

According to Pompeo, the U.S. was ready to sanction Russia and China if they opposed its effort to “snapback” sanctions on Tehran.