Representatives of China, Russia and Iran have called for an end to U.S. sanctions on Iran over its rapidly advancing nuclear program and a restart to multinational talks on the issue.

China has called for “illegal” sanctions against Iran to be lifted after the country’s leaders met in Beijing. Representatives of Russia and Iran were hosted by China this week as the three countries “exchanged views on the Iran nuclear issue and other issues of common concern,” according to Chinese State Media.

China’s Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu, his Iranian counterpart Kazem Gharibadi, and Russian Vice Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov on Friday called for “an end to all illegal unilateral sanctions” and the creation of “a favorable atmosphere” for diplomacy.