Beijing ( CNN ) -- China 's Foreign Ministry weighed in on the widespread anxiety over Iran 's nuclear program on Friday , urging Iran to be flexible with the U.N. nuclear agency but staunchly deploring force amid talk of strikes against the country . Hong Lei , the ministry spokesman , made the comments , state-run news agency Xinhua said on Friday . They come ahead of a report on Iran 's nuclear program expected to be released next week by the International Atomic Energy Agency . `` As a member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty , Iran should fulfill the relevant international obligations , '' Hong told reporters . The report is expected to focus specifically on research and development that Tehran may have carried out that would help it build a nuclear warhead . Iran said it is developing nuclear power for peaceful purposes but Western powers have long asserted that Iran aspires to build nuclear weapons . In recent days , there has been widespread talk in the Israeli media about the possibility of military strikes on Iran . The daily newspaper Haaretz reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was lobbying members of his Cabinet to back a military strike against Iran . On that same day , the Israeli military tested a new rocket propulsion system . Britain 's Guardian daily newspaper said that country 's armed forces `` are stepping up their contingency planning for potential military action against Iran amid mounting concern about Tehran 's nuclear enrichment programme . '' It reported that the Defence Ministry thinks the United States `` may decide to fast-forward plans for targeted missile strikes at some key Iranian facilities . British officials say that if Washington presses ahead it will seek , and receive , UK military help for any mission , despite some deep reservations within the coalition government . '' China 's stance is an important element in the diplomatic focus on the nuclear issue because of China 's permanent U.N. Security Council membership . Even though China has supported some sanctions on Iran over the years , Beijing and Russia have not been as hard-line toward the Islamic republic as the other members of the Security Council -- the United States , Britain and France . Hong said disagreements with Iran should be resolved through `` dialogue and cooperation , '' Xinhua reported . `` The IAEA should positively clarify relevant problems by cooperating with Iran in an impartial and objective manner '' and `` Iran should be flexible and sincere when cooperating with the IAEA , '' Xinhua reported , citing Hong . China warns against the use of force but will promote `` dialogue and cooperation and play a constructive role '' in dealing with the Iranian nuclear issue . `` It is extremely important to avoid new turmoil in the Middle East '' and `` a peaceful settlement is the common benefit for both the Middle East and international society , '' Hong said , according to Xinhua .
Talk of force against Iran surfaces in the media . China backs `` dialogue and cooperation '' China is a permanent U.N. Security Council member .