Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met China’s top diplomat in Beijing on Wednesday (6 May), underscoring deepening ties between Tehran and Beijing ahead of high-level U.S.-China talks expected to touch on Iran and the Gulf crisis.
The visit, announced by Chinese state media Xinhua, is Araghchi’s first trip to China since the U.S.-Israeli conflict involving Iran that triggered a major disruption in global oil flows and heightened concerns over energy security for major importers, including China.
During the meeting, Araghchi said China is a “close friend” of Iran and that bilateral cooperation would “be even stronger under current circumstances,” according to Iranian state media ISNA.
He also reiterated that Tehran is seeking a “fair and comprehensive agreement” with the United States.
The diplomatic trip comes as U.S. President Donald Trump prepares to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping during a visit scheduled for 14-15 May, with Iran and maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz expected to feature in discussions.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has urged Beijing to play a more active diplomatic role in persuading Iran to reopen the strait to international shipping, calling on China to “join us in this international operation.”
He also pressed China and Russia to stop blocking United Nations initiatives aimed at securing commercial shipping routes.
The Strait of Hormuz has become a central flashpoint in recent weeks, with U.S. and Iranian forces engaging in renewed attacks and maritime blockades that have raised fears of a wider escalation.
Washington briefly signalled that the U.S. Navy would assist shipping through the strait before pausing the operation amid signs of possible diplomatic progress.
China, which imports more than 80% of Iran’s exported oil, has largely refrained from direct criticism of either side, while instead calling for restraint and the preservation of the ceasefire.
Beijing has also escalated its opposition to U.S. sanctions targeting Chinese refiners purchasing Iranian crude, ordering companies not to comply with measures it considers unlawful and signalling a tougher stance on secondary sanctions enforcement.
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United Nations World Urban Forum 13 continues in Baku, Azerbaijan on 19 May with sessions and roundtable discussions focused on strengthening dialogue and advancing cooperation in urban development. Organisers say there are nearly 3 billion people globally who face some form of housing inadequacy.
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Pakistan has deployed around 8,000 troops, fighter jets and air defence systems to Saudi Arabia under a mutual defence agreement, according to security officials and government sources familiar with the arrangement.
Russia is considering the possibility of joint projects with the United States and China, Kirill Dmitriev, Head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, (Russia's sovereign wealth fund), was quoted as saying by state media on Wednesday.
Two Chinese tankers laden with oil exited the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, shipping data showed, brightening hopes that the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran may soon be resolved after positive comments from the U.S. President and his Deputy.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran remained committed to reaching a diplomatic settlement with the U.S. while continuing to strengthen its defensive capabilities amid ongoing regional tensions.
Finance ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) have urged the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank to increase support for countries hardest hit by the conflict in the Middle East.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that he had paused a planned attack on Iran after Tehran sent a peace proposal to Washington. He said there was now a “very good chance” of reaching a deal to limit Iran’s nuclear programme.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and German counterpart Johann Wadephul said Monday that Ankara and Berlin are both keen to deepen strategic cooperation.
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