Beijing has announced that it expects “in-depth” discussions with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during his visit to China this week, with both nations aiming to strengthen political mutual trust. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, emphasized that the talks would cover a wide range of topics, including China-Iran bilateral relations and key international and regional issues of mutual concern.
Araghchi’s visit comes just ahead of a third round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States, a crucial development in the ongoing efforts to address the long-standing tensions surrounding Tehran’s nuclear program. These negotiations follow two previous rounds of talks, held on consecutive Saturdays in Oman and Italy, with both parties expressing satisfaction with the progress made thus far, calling the discussions “positive” and “constructive.”
The expert-level discussions, scheduled for tomorrow in Muscat, Oman, are expected to delve into the specifics of the potential agreement between Iran and the U.S. In the meantime, Araghchi’s meetings in Beijing will highlight the strong bilateral ties between China and Iran, particularly in light of Beijing’s role as a signatory to the 2015 nuclear deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which aimed to limit Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.
China remains a key ally for Iran, with the two countries maintaining a robust commercial partnership, especially in the oil sector. Despite the ongoing U.S. sanctions on Iran, China continues to purchase around 92% of Iranian oil, often at a significant discount. Beijing’s support has been vital for Iran’s economy, helping to mitigate the impact of the U.S. sanctions that have severely strained the country’s finances.
Guo Jiakun further noted that China and Iran have enjoyed “mutual respect, trust, and support,” contributing to the “healthy and stable development” of their bilateral relations and playing a positive role in regional and global peace and stability.
The 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was a landmark agreement signed by Iran, China, the United States, Britain, France, Russia, Germany, and the European Union. However, the deal faced significant setbacks when former U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew from the agreement in 2018, leading to Iran’s decision to gradually breach its terms.
