China Affirms Support for Iran Amid Middle East Tensions
Beijing (ANTARA) - Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and reaffirmed his support for Tehran’s position regarding the current situation in the Middle East.
“As comprehensive strategic partners, China firmly supports Iran in safeguarding its sovereignty, security and national dignity,” Wang Yi said during his meeting with Araghchi on Friday (24/7), on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) foreign ministers’ meeting in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry website accessed by ANTARA from Beijing on Sunday.
Wang Yi said tensions in the Middle East’s Gulf region had risen again in recent weeks, and China expressed deep concern over the situation.
“The memorandum of understanding signed more than a month ago is a precious achievement of mediation and negotiation efforts by various parties. It embodies the hopes of the Iranian and Middle Eastern peoples to stop the war and create peace and stability, so the efforts that have been made must not end in vain,” Wang Yi said.
He also stressed that the door to negotiation, once opened, should not be closed again.
“As long as there is hope for peace, these efforts must not be abandoned. The most urgent task at present is to remain committed to resolving disputes through negotiation and to implement once again the understanding reached in the memorandum,” Wang Yi explained.
According to Wang Yi, China will adhere to the four-point proposal put forward by President Xi Jinping on maintaining and advancing peace and stability in the Middle East.
“China will also continue to support the mediation efforts of Pakistan and other parties, push for the resumption of dialogue and negotiation among the parties concerned as soon as possible, handle the Strait of Hormuz issue appropriately, and encourage the improvement of relations between neighbouring countries,” he added.
Wang Yi further revealed that China would jointly formulate collective security arrangements for the countries of the Gulf, and contribute to the restoration of peace and calm in the Middle East region as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Araghchi briefed his host on the latest developments in the Middle East Gulf region.
“The United States has violated the memorandum of understanding reached by both parties, causing tensions to rise further. Iran’s willingness to negotiate has never changed, and Iran does not want the conflict to continue,” Araghchi said.
Iran, according to Araghchi, urges the United States to honour its commitments, exercise restraint and seek an appropriate solution.
“At such a crucial juncture, Iran and China, as comprehensive strategic partners, need to strengthen communication and coordination. Iran is grateful to China for always upholding an objective and fair position and consistently promoting peace and the cessation of war,” Araghchi added.
Araghchi stressed that Iran still hopes China will continue to play an important role in defusing tensions and cooling the situation.
The United States and Iran had in fact signed an agreement on peace and the cessation of hostilities, which began at the end of February, on 18 June 2026.
However, since 8 July, US forces have again launched several waves of attacks against Iran. US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the strikes were a response to Iran’s actions against commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz.