Will accept only fair, comprehensive deal, Araqchi says after meeting Wang Yi

BEIJING: Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi met China’s top diplomat Wang Yi on Wednesday, signalling deepening ties between the two countries just days before US President Donald Trump is set to visit Beijing for talks with President Xi Jinping.

The visit marks Araqchi’s first trip to China since the recent US-Israeli war on Iran, which triggered a major global oil supply shock and disrupted energy flows, affecting China — the world’s largest crude importer.

Speaking during the meeting, Araqchi said China remained a “close friend” and expressed confidence that bilateral cooperation would strengthen under current circumstances, according to Iranian media.

“We will do our best to protect our legitimate rights and interests in the negotiations… We only accept a fair and comprehensive agreement,” he said, referring to ongoing efforts to resolve tensions between Tehran and Washington.

The developments come as Washington pushes Beijing to play a more active diplomatic role. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent this week urged China to help persuade Iran to keep the Strait of Hormuz open for global shipping, amid fears over energy supply disruptions.

Bessent said Trump and Xi are expected to discuss Iran during their scheduled May 14–15 meeting in Beijing, as both sides seek to maintain stability in bilateral ties following a recent trade truce.

The Strait of Hormuz — a key artery for global oil shipments — has remained under strain, with the U.S. and Iran recently engaging in competing maritime actions despite a fragile ceasefire.

China has consistently called on both sides to uphold the truce and ensure uninterrupted shipping through the strategic waterway.

Analysts say Beijing has stepped up diplomatic engagement while avoiding direct criticism of Washington, aiming to ensure a smooth high-level summit between the two powers.

Meanwhile, China has also pushed back against U.S. sanctions targeting its refiners for purchasing Iranian oil, instructing companies not to comply and signalling potential countermeasures.