Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was in Beijing today for a lengthy, productive meeting with Foreign Minister Wang Yi, just days before the third round of indirect talks with U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, scheduled for April 26 in Muscat, Oman.
Araghchi felt his hours-long discussion with Wang Yi was so successful that it portended a “golden year” in Sino-Iranian relations in which bilateral cooperation will be deepened through high-level meetings and summits, the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported him saying today. The two touched on all aspects of their bilateral relationship and international developments, including what kind of international cooperation they can have in the future. Currently, the two nations enjoy a comprehensive strategic partnership which includes a 25-year cooperation framework.
Prior to meeting Wang, Araghchi met with Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, to whom he emphasized the importance of expanding bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the framework of organizations such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the BRICS. Araghchi also said he was carrying with him a message from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to Chinese leaders, indicating, among other things, Tehran’s appreciation of China’s support for Iran’s civilian nuclear program. Russia and China are two close friends and strategic partners, he said, and it is natural that Iran has continuous and permanent consultation with them in many areas. He said he has briefed Russia on negotiations with the U.S., just as he planned to do with China. He also reported that prior to attending the next SCO meeting in September, President Pezeshkian will visit China.
