China says diplomacy should be given further time in the dispute over Iran’s nuclear programme, as US officials press for new sanctions on Tehran.

China’s latest statement came as a senior US diplomat, James Steinberg, arrived in Beijing on the highest level visit since a series of bilateral rows.

On Monday, Moscow signalled it would consider new sanctions against Tehran.

And Iran rejected a UN International Atomic Energy Agency claim it was not co-operating with its investigation.

World powers say Iran is enriching uranium to make nuclear weapons, but Tehran says its atomic programme is solely for civilian energy purposes.

Asked about Moscow’s statement, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said: “We call for a resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue through diplomatic means.