The Iranian foreign minister has hailed China and Russia as the country’s two strategic partners and close friends, as he arrives in Beijing for consultations with top Chinese officials ahead of the third round of high-stakes talks with the United States on the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program.

“China and Russia are two strategic partners and close friends who have stood by us in times of hardship. It is natural that we have continuous and constant consultations with them in various areas, especially now that discussions with the United States are held indirectly,” Abbas Araghchi told Iran’s state media in the Chinese capital on Wednesday.

“It is necessary that we keep our friends in China fully informed about ongoing matters and consult with them.”

Stressing that he had a similar meeting with senior Russian officials in Moscow last week, Araghchi expressed hope for good discussions in Beijing as he is to convey Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s message to Chinese authorities.

“China has played an important and constructive role in Iran’s nuclear issue in the past, and certainly this role needs to continue. We will keep our consultations with China as a member of the Security Council, a member of the [IAEA’s] Board of Governors, as well as a partner of the Islamic Republic of Iran and a country with a pedigree in nuclear matters,” the top Iranian diplomat said.

“China has always held constructive positions on the nuclear issue of Iran, and we appreciate China’s constructive and positive stance. Currently, China’s position upholds the ongoing negotiations, and they have also expressed readiness to assist and cooperate, the details of which we will discuss today,” he added.

Araghchi arrived in Beijing on Wednesday upon his Chinese counterpart’s official invitation amid ongoing indirect nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington, which are mediated by Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi.

Both sides have so far described the course of negotiations as “positive” and “moving forward.”

Tehran, Beijing vow to bolster strategic ties

On Wednesday morning, the Iranian foreign minister met with China’s First Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang in Beijing to reaffirm the two countries’ strategic partnership and discuss advancing their 25-year cooperation roadmap.

Araghchi and Ding, who is a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China, reviewed the current status of cooperation within the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Iran and China and discussed ways to accelerate the implementation of the 25-year comprehensive cooperation program.

Highlighting China’s position as a strategic and trustworthy partner of the Islamic Republic, Araghchi emphasized the importance of expanding bilateral and multilateral cooperation, including within frameworks like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and BRICS.

The top Iranian diplomat also underlined the necessity of closer interaction between like-minded countries, such as Iran and China, to counter unilateralism and global bullying, and reiterated Iran’s firm determination to expand ties with China.

He also expressed Iran’s views on regional and international issues, particularly the grave dangers posed by Israel’s continued genocide in the occupied Palestinian territories, its regional aggression, and the recurring US attacks on Yemen.

Araghchi called for a firm and immediate international response to stop lawlessness and prevent the law of the jungle from dominating global relations.

The Iranian foreign minister also briefed the Chinese official on the ongoing indirect negotiations between Iran and the US, stressing that despite past bitter experiences, Iran remains committed to diplomacy with goodwill and seriousness.

Ding, for his part, welcomed the comprehensive growth of Iran-China relations, calling the strategic partnership between the two nations a result of mutual trust, respect, and shared interests.

The official reaffirmed the Chinese leadership’s strong will to further elevate cooperation with Iran in all areas of mutual interest.

Ding also emphasized the importance of Iran-China coordination in defending multilateralism and the rule of law at the international level, describing the bilateral cooperation as a valuable model of South-South cooperation.

China’s first vice premier reiterated Beijing’s support for Iran’s efforts to lift sanctions and engage in negotiations over its nuclear program.