Iranian FM Araghchi to visit China on May 6 to discuss bilateral ties, global issues amid West Asia crisis
Beijing, May 6
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi is set to visit China on Wednesday, May 6, to discuss bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and international developments with his Chinese counterpart.
According to a spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Araghchi's visit comes at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who will hold talks with the Iranian leader during his stay.
"Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran Seyyed Abbas Araghchi will visit China upon invitation on May 6. Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi will hold talks with him," the spokesperson said in a post on X.
In a separate statement shared on Telegram, Araghchi said the visit is part of Iran's ongoing diplomatic engagements with multiple countries.
"Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araqchi will travel to Beijing on Tuesday, continuing diplomatic consultations with various countries. During this visit, the Foreign Minister will discuss and exchange views with his Chinese counterpart on bilateral relations and regional and international developments," he stated.
His visit to China comes days after his three-nation tour in Pakistan, Oman and Russia, forming part of broader regional consultations amid the crisis in West Asia.
During his visit last month in Russia, Aragchi met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who, during the talks, affirmed that Moscow is prepared to do "everything in its power" to facilitate a rapid peace settlement in the Middle East, according to a report by TASS.
Putin observed that the Iranian people are fighting "courageously and heroically" for their national sovereignty.
Araghchi also held discussions on the "war and aggression" involving the United States and Israel in detail during his meeting with the Russian President.
Putin also said that Russia would do what it could to support Iran's interests and help efforts to restore peace in West Asia amid the crisis in the region. The meeting was held in St Petersburg.
During his time in Pakistan, Araghchi reportedly "reviewed past events and the specific conditions under which negotiations between Iran and the US could continue" during his meetings, officials said.
He described his journey to Islamabad as "very productive" and noted it involved "good consultations".
Shifting the focus to maritime security, the Foreign Minister detailed his subsequent visit to Muscat, where discussions centred on the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
The IRNA news agency quoted Araghchi as saying, "Iran and Oman are the two coastal states of the Strait of Hormuz, making mutual consultations necessary - especially as safe passage through the Strait has become a significant global issue."
These visits are part of a broader regional engagement between Tehran and its regional partners amid the crisis in West Asia due to the Islamic Republic's recent confrontation with the US and the power struggle between the two sides over the virtual control of the Strait of Hormuz.
— ANI
Reader Comments
China is becoming the go-to mediator for everyone these days. Iran trusts China more than the UN or US right now. But what about India's Chabahar port? We invested heavily there, and if Iran gets closer to China and Pakistan, we might lose strategic advantage. Hopefully our diplomacy keeps up.
Putin saying Iranians are fighting "courageously and heroically" is classic Russian diplomacy. Meanwhile, the Middle East crisis is getting worse by the day. India needs to stay neutral but also ensure our 9 million diaspora in the Gulf are safe. The Strait of Hormuz stability is non-negotiable for our energy security.
Interesting that Iran chose to visit Pakistan before China. Pakistan and Iran have a complex border situation too. But honestly, the world is becoming bipolar—US vs China-Iran-Russia. India is caught in the middle trying to maintain strategic autonomy. Hope our foreign policy is flexible enough to handle this.
One thing is clear: Iran is not isolated despite US sanctions. They have Russia and China backing them. But can they really negotiate with the US through Pakistan? That seems like a long shot. India should offer its own mediation platform—we have credibility with all parties in West Asia. Just a thought.
Respectfully, I think India needs to be more proactive here. We can't just watch from the sidelines while China and Russia shape West Asian dynamics. Our historical ties with Iran, our energy needs, and our diaspora all demand a stronger diplomatic presence. The Chabahar port deal was a great start, need more such initiatives.