Iran foreign minister meets Chinese counterpart a week before Trump's Beijing trip

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met China's top diplomat in Beijing on Wednesday, underscoring close ties between the two countries shortly before U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to travel to meet with Xi Jinping.

Araghchi's visit, announced by state news agency Xinhua, is his first trip to China since the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran set off the most severe global oil supply shock in history, threatening the energy security of China, the world's top crude importer.

After the meeting, Iran's foreign ministry said that Araghchi briefed Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the talks with the U.S. and said: "Iran, just as it demonstrated strength in defending itself and remains fully prepared to confront any aggression, is also serious and steadfast in the field of diplomacy."

"We will do our best to protect our legitimate rights and interests in the negotiations," Araghchi said, according to the Iranian Students' News Agency. "We only accept a fair and comprehensive agreement," he added, with regard ⁠to talks between Tehran and Washington.

The Chinese foreign ministry said after the talks that "the current regional situation is at a critical juncture of transition from war to peace," adding that "China believes that a complete cessation of hostilities is imperative, restarting the conflict is unacceptable and persisting in negotiations is particularly important."



Reuters