Nournews: Abbas Araghchi, the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, visited China at a time when the shadow of war and threats continues to loom over the region, particularly the Strait of Hormuz. Coming just ahead of the U.S. president’s arrival in Beijing, the trip also served as a test of the depth of the Tehran–Beijing strategic partnership—one that has now expanded beyond economic cooperation to include political and security coordination in response to U.S. unilateralism.
In his meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Araghchi referred to military attacks by the United States and Israel against Iranian territory, stressing explicitly that “Iran after the war is not the same as Iran before the war.” He underscored that the country’s defensive and deterrent capabilities are now evident to all regional and extra-regional actors. Emphasizing that “the Islamic Republic of Iran today holds a distinctly stronger and more authoritative position in regional and global equations,” he added that China’s political and economic support—such as vetoing anti-Iran resolutions at the UN Security Council and continuing to purchase Iranian oil—has played a decisive role in neutralizing sanctions and undermining Washington’s maximum pressure strategy.
According to Iran’s foreign minister, one of the main topics of discussion with Chinese officials was the future of energy security and the Strait of Hormuz—a vital passageway through which a significant portion of global oil and gas exports transit, and where instability would have worldwide consequences. Referring to the presence and role of Iran’s armed forces in this strategic waterway, Araghchi stated: “The security of the Strait of Hormuz has always been ensured by Iran and will continue to be. The Islamic Republic of Iran will not allow extra-regional powers’ adventurism to jeopardize the security of this vital region.”
Araghchi also made clear that “Iran has not chosen the path of war and will not do so, but it will not hesitate to defend its people and sovereignty.” From Tehran’s perspective, the only way to avoid a return to cycles of tension is a “combination of field deterrence and diplomatic initiative.” He further noted that “no plan for the future of the region can succeed without Iran’s participation and role,” referencing his recent visits to Islamabad, Muscat, and Moscow, as well as a phone call with Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister.
Beijing: Iran as a “Reliable and Strategic Partner”
Alongside Araghchi’s bilateral meetings in Beijing, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson also took a clear and relatively unprecedented stance during a daily press briefing. Guo Jiakun described Iran as a “reliable and strategic partner” for China, emphasizing the need to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz and to continue negotiations between Tehran and Washington.
In remarks widely reflected in regional media, he stated: “To prevent the option of resuming war against Iran, we hope all parties will soon respond to the international community’s calls to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.” He added that “a complete halt to hostile actions and the continuation of negotiations between Tehran and Washington are of utmost importance,” expressing hope that both sides would avoid escalating tensions and restore security to the region.
The spokesperson also stressed that “the current situation in the Strait of Hormuz is tense, and the security of Persian Gulf countries must be respected.” These positions effectively signal Beijing’s political support for Iran’s diplomatic initiatives to manage the crisis, while reflecting China’s dual interest in maintaining stable energy flows and preventing a new war in the Middle East.
Global Reactions to Araghchi’s Visit
Many international media outlets reacted to Araghchi’s visit to China, particularly given its timing just before Trump’s upcoming trip. CNBC highlighted that the timing appeared deliberate, noting that China hosted Iran’s foreign minister for the first time since the start of the U.S. and Israeli war against Tehran, only days before the planned visit of the U.S. president.
Outlets such as Al Jazeera English, China Morning Post, Al Hadath, CGTN, RT Turkey, Xinhua, Bloomberg, and others described the visit as significant and strategic. Some also pointed to growing U.S. isolation due to tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, as well as the increasingly prominent trilateral dynamic among Iran, China, and Russia in emerging global equations.
Danny Russel, a senior fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute, noted that for Tehran, the visit to China is a way to demonstrate that it is “not isolated and has friends and options,” as Iranian leadership seeks to strengthen its bargaining position in its standoff with Washington and deter further U.S. attacks.
Russel added that Tehran is likely seeking assurances from Beijing regarding oil flows, financial channels, and diplomatic backing against renewed U.S. military action. In contrast, Trump is expected to press China to push Iran to stop threatening Persian Gulf infrastructure and commercial shipping and move toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz. He further wrote that for Xi, the visit presents an opportunity to position Beijing as a responsible power ahead of Trump’s visit—though the risks involved also constrain China itself.
The visit comes amid ongoing reciprocal tensions between the sides. In an unprecedented move, China openly rejected U.S. sanctions against Chinese refineries purchasing Iranian crude oil, invoking its “blocking statute” for the first time and instructing companies not to comply with U.S. sanctions.
Nournews