China played an important role in securing the historic, comprehensive nuclear deal between a group of six world powers and Iran, and for that US President Barack Obama is thankful.

The White House on Tuesday released a statement saying President Obama spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping the same day that the deal was unanimously endorsed by the United Nations Security Council.

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According to the statement, President Obama expressed appreciation for the role China played in ensuring that the long-term nuclear deal between the P5+1 and Iran was secured.

P5+1 is a group of six world powers - China, the United States, Russia, France, and the United Kingdom - plus Germany.

The six nations joined together in 2006 to launch diplomatic efforts with Iran to achieve a comprehensive nuclear deal.

The deal was approved last week after about nine years of negotiations.

As a safety measure, the Security Council passed a resolution that calls for the automatic reinstatement of sanctions against Iran if it violates any of the terms of the deal.

Sources said the United States was concerned that the efforts will not move because China or Russia will not be willing to go along.

However, China and Russia backed the deal, verifiably ensuring that Iran's nuclear program will be peaceful going forward.

The White House statement said both Obama and Xi, leaders of the world's first and second largest economies, agreed on the importance of continued cooperation between the US and China in making sure that the deal is implemented.

President Obama also said that he looks forward to the visit of his Chinese counterpart to the White House in September.

President Xi will be in the US by then for a state visit.

Analysts said China's role in securing the nuclear deal with Iran was an important development for the US. The US and China have been at odds on several issues, including the alleged cyberhacking by the Chinese government as well as China's territorial claims against its Asian neighbors.

TagsIran, nuclear deal, Barack Obama