BEIJING, July 23 (Xinhua) -- China voiced appreciation of French President Emmanuel Macron's active diplomatic mediation on the Iran nuclear issue and expected the French side's efforts could help ease the current tension, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Tuesday.

Macron has recently actively carried out diplomatic mediation on the Iran nuclear issue, maintained close communication with leaders of the United States, Iran and Russia and worked to ease the Iran nuclear situation.

When asked to comment on the mediation, spokesperson Hua Chunying said at a press briefing that the French side has been actively engaged in diplomatic mediation to encourage relevant parties to resolve differences through dialogue and consultation and uphold the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal.

Noting that the United States imposing maximum pressure on Iran is the source of current Iran nuclear tensions, Hua said it is imperative that the U.S. abandon its wrong move of imposing maximum pressure on Iran, not to obstruct the implementation of the deal, respect the legitimate rights and interests of all parties and create conditions for addressing each other's concerns on the basis of mutual respect and equal dialogue.

At the same time, all parties to the agreement should commit themselves to the full and effective implementation of the JCPOA to ensure the balance of rights and obligations under the framework of the agreement, Hua said.

"China stands ready to work with France to settle the Iran nuclear issue through political and diplomatic means and will continue to resolutely safeguard its legitimate rights and interests," Hua added.