Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has held high-level talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing, as tensions continue to rise over the Strait of Hormuz and stalled negotiations with the United States.
The meeting comes just days before US President Donald Trump is expected to visit Beijing for a summit with President Xi Jinping on May 14–15, adding diplomatic weight to Iran’s outreach to China, one of its closest strategic partners.
During the discussions, Araghchi described China as a “close friend” of Iran and said cooperation between the two countries would strengthen amid current global tensions. He also reiterated Tehran’s demand for what he called a “fair and comprehensive agreement” in ongoing indirect talks with Washington, which aim to resolve a broader conflict involving Iran, the US, and Israel that has disrupted regional energy routes and global oil supplies.
China calls for de-escalation
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged restraint and called for a swift reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route through which around one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas passes. Beijing also called for an immediate halt to hostilities and warned against any return to fighting, stressing that continued negotiations remain essential.
China has repeatedly positioned itself as a diplomatic voice for de-escalation, while also expressing frustration over disruptions to global energy flows caused by the ongoing crisis.
Strategic timing amid global tensions
Araghchi’s visit marks his first in-person trip to China since the conflict escalated in February. Analysts say the timing is significant, as Iran seeks to reinforce its alliance with Beijing ahead of Trump’s arrival in China and amid pressure from Washington for China to influence Tehran’s position on the Strait of Hormuz.
Observers say Iran is seeking stronger diplomatic backing from China while also signalling that it will not accept concessions that undermine its economic or strategic interests.
Strait of Hormuz crisis deepens
The Strait of Hormuz has become a major flashpoint in the conflict. Iran effectively restricted passage through the waterway following the outbreak of hostilities, triggering sharp increases in global fuel and fertiliser prices and raising fears of a wider economic slowdown.
The United States has since imposed additional pressure measures, including sanctions on Chinese firms accused of purchasing Iranian oil and increased naval activity in the region.
China has pushed back, warning companies against complying with unilateral sanctions.
Wider geopolitical fallout
The crisis has further strained US–China relations, with both powers taking opposing positions on sanctions and maritime security. Regional mediation efforts, including talks involving Pakistan, have so far failed to produce a breakthrough, with key disputes centred on uranium enrichment limits and control over the strategic waterway.
Despite ongoing tensions, diplomatic channels remain open, with both Tehran and Washington continuing indirect negotiations while seeking support from global partners such as China.
