Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is holding talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing amid escalating tensions with the United States.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, Araghchi's one-day visit on Wednesday comes exactly one week before a scheduled summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, set for May 14-15. China's official Xinhua news agency confirmed the start of the meeting but did not provide further details.
This marks the first high-level visit to Tehran's close ally, China, since the outbreak of the US-Israel war on February 28. Reports indicate that Araghchi has held at least three phone conversations with Wang Yi since the conflict began. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio previously stated that Washington expects Beijing to exert influence over Tehran regarding the Strait of Hormuz.
Following the start of the war, Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global energy shipments. This move led to a sharp increase in fuel and fertilizer prices on global markets, causing significant fluctuations in the world economy. Despite a ceasefire reached in April, the US has increased pressure on Tehran by imposing a blockade on Iranian ports.
The discussions between Araghchi and Wang Yi are expected to prioritize two main issues: maintaining the ceasefire and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. While China has criticized the US naval blockade of Iranian ports as dangerous, it has also reportedly adopted a firmer stance regarding Tehran's decision to keep the strait closed. This diplomatic engagement is seen as a crucial step in de-escalating regional tensions that have significant implications for global trade and energy security.
