Iran’s Araghchi talks with China’s Wang Yi in Beijing | US-Israel War on Iran News

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, in Beijing as tensions with the United States continue over the Strait of Hormuz.

Araghchi’s visit on Wednesday comes a week before US President Donald Trump visits Beijing to meet with President Xi Jinping on May 14 and 15.

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At the meeting, Araghchi said that China is a close friend of Iran and that “cooperation will be very strong in the current situation”, the News Agency of Students in Iran reported.

“We will do everything we can to protect our rights and our interests in the negotiations … we only agree to a fair and comprehensive agreement,” he added, referring to the talks between Iran and the US to end the US-Israel war on Iran that has disrupted regional energy and oil and gas markets around the world.

Araghchi’s visit to Beijing is his first visit to China – a best friend of Tehran – since the fighting began on February 28. Araghchi spoke to Wang by phone at least three times following the cessation of hostilities.

Earlier in Washington, DC, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio asked Beijing to pressure Iran to remove its restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran effectively blocked the route – through which a fifth of the world’s oil and gas flows – after the war, sending oil and fertilizer prices skyrocketing and prompting fears of a global recession.

Following a ceasefire in April, the US imposed a blockade on Iranian ports in an attempt to force Tehran to accept Washington’s demands for peace talks.

The war has also strained relations between Washington and Beijing, and the US punishment Chinese companies are accused of buying billions of dollars worth of Iranian oil. Beijing hit back on Saturday, with the Ministry of Commerce calling on Chinese companies disobedience and prohibited.

Ceasefire, Strait of Hormuz

Al Jazeera’s Katrina Yu, who is from Beijing, said that two issues should dominate the meeting agenda between Araghchi and Wang – maintaining the ceasefire and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

“We know that China has been very critical of the US military blockade of Iranian ports, saying that it is dangerous. But more importantly, Beijing has been opposing Iran’s decision to close the blockade,” Yu said.

Wang is also expected to talk to Araghchi about what kind of support China can continue to provide Iran if it continues to block the route.

“Iran needs the support of China, for example, the United Nations, to continue to prevent anything that would increase sanctions against Iran because of its shutdown,” Yu said.

“He said, Iran’s foreign minister wants a clear understanding from Beijing about what will be put on the table when Xi meets Trump, and whether Beijing will give permission to Washington that will make Tehran nervous.”

China, in turn, “requires assurances that Iran will not take any significant or dramatic action in the preparation of this important meeting”, he added.

‘No peace, no war’

Ma Xiaolin, head of the Institute for International Studies on the Mediterranean Rim at Zhejiang International Studies University, said he believes Iran is looking to China to mediate talks with the US.

“Right now, Iran and America are in a very difficult time, there is no peace, no dialogue and no war.” Tehran and Washington will have to go through difficulties to create a peace agreement. China is a superpower that has good relations with Iran and America,” he told Al Jazeera.

“Ahead of Trump’s visit to China, I think Iran hopes that China will take steps to encourage America to change its policy towards Iran, and Iran wants to improve its Belt and Road relationship with China, especially in energy and oil.”

Araghchi’s visit to China came as Trump he announced suspending US military operations to escort ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz.

The operation, which began on Monday, has escalated tensions, with the US military reportedly sinking several Iranian boats attempting to disrupt the operation. United Arab Emirates too report they are coming under fire from missiles and drones from Iran, with one attack setting fire to an oil refinery. Tehran denies instigating terrorism.

Trump said at the Truth Social that the pause was established “at the request of Pakistan and other Countries” and because “Major Progress has been made towards a Full and Final Agreement with Iranian Representatives”.

Pakistan has been spearheading efforts for a peace deal between Iran and the US.

The two sides held direct talks in Islamabad on April 11 and 12, but the talks ended without an agreement. Key sticking points include US demands for Iran to freeze all nuclear weapons and Tehran’s desire to retain control of the Strait of Hormuz.