Iran FM says seeking China's support for 'new post-war' regional framework
Iran's Araghchi says country ready to defend itself while remaining committed to diplomacy: report
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Wednesday that Tehran was looking forward to China's support for a "new post-war" regional framework following its conflict with the United States.
Reiterating Iran's trust in China, Araghchi said his country "looks forward to" Beijing "supporting the establishment of a new post-war regional framework that can balance development and security", in a post on X.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi for talks in Beijing on Wednesday, according to China's Xinhua news agency.
China is a key customer for Iranian oil, defying sanctions imposed by the United States as Washington seeks to choke off revenue to Tehran.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has emphasised that while his country is prepared to defend itself against any mischief, it remains serious and steadfast in the pursuit of diplomacy, according to state news agency IRNA.
Araghchi has met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in China, where they discussed strategic cooperation and regional stability. Addressing regional tensions, Iran’s top diplomat has condemned US and Israeli aggression during the war and lauded Beijing’s “principled stance against the violation of the UN Charter”.
“He (Aragchi) expressed hope that China’s upcoming presidency of the UN Security Council would curb international lawbreaking,” IRNA adds.
Araghchi arrived in Beijing on Wednesday morning, Iranian local media reported. "During this visit, our country's Foreign Minister will discuss bilateral relations and regional and international developments with his Chinese counterpart," Fars news agency said.
Araghchi's trip comes before US President Donald Trump's scheduled visit to China on May 14-15 to see President Xi Jinping -- a trip he delayed after the United States and Israel attacked Iran.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday called on China to put pressure on Araghchi to loosen Tehran's chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of the world's oil once transited.
"I hope the Chinese tell (Araghchi) what he needs to be told, and that is that what you were doing in the straits is causing you to be globally isolated," Rubio told reporters.