"We urge the international community to strengthen cooperation with Iran to uphold international health and security," Lijian said.
He stressed that "at this critical time, when the government and people of Iran are fighting the epidemic, the implementation of unilateral sanctions will only worsen the situation, and also goes against the humanitarian spirit."
The Foreign Ministry spokesman said that China "calls on the relevant parties to immediately lift sanctions on Iran in order to avoid creating obstacles to the efforts of this country and the international community in the fight against the epidemic."
Earlier, US leader Donald Trump announced the readiness of the United States to help Iran in the fight against coronavirus infection COVID-19.
