Speaking on Monday in a meeting with visiting senior Chinese diplomat Song Tao, Jahangiri said: “Even though we are aware that friendly countries such as China are facing some restrictions, we expect them to be more active in buying Iranian oil.”

The Iranian official said Iran and China were two old civilizations in Asia which played a key role in the formation of global civilization.

He also stressed the high-level strategic relations between Tehran and Beijing.

By restrictions, Jahangiri referred to US sanctions on any countries that enter into financial transactions and oil purchases from Iran.

In May 2018, the US pulled out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), aka the Iran nuclear deal, and reimposed severe economic sanctions on Tehran.