Iran’s Interior Minister Mostafa Pour-Mohammadi said China renewed its support for negotiations over his country’s nuclear activities, and he warned that new UN sanctions could force Tehran to adopt “other means”.

A split has emerged in the coalition of Western powers pressuring Iran to freeze its nuclear enrichment program, as France backs US calls for a new round of sanctions while Germany urges restraint.

Three drilling companies will be privatized, said a National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) official here on Friday.