The talks are taking place against a backdrop of tension between Tehran and Washington over the Strait of Hormuz, Al Jazeera reports.
Abbas Araghchi’s one-day visit to Beijing came a week before US President Donald Trump is due to travel there for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping—scheduled for May 14–15.
For the Iranian foreign minister, it is his first trip to the Chinese capital since the start of the US-Israeli war against Iran on February 28. Since the fighting began, Araghchi has spoken by phone with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi at least three times.
According to Al Jazeera, the talks are focused on two issues: preserving the ceasefire and restoring shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Wang Yi is expected to discuss with Araghchi possible Chinese support for Tehran if the blockade of the strait drags on.
“Iran will need China’s support, for example at the UN, to continue blocking any moves that could lead to additional sanctions against Iran over its closure of the strait,” the outlet notes.
The Iranian side is also trying, according to Al Jazeera, to find out what proposals Beijing intends to bring to its meeting with Trump and whether China is prepared to make any concessions to Washington that could cause concern in Tehran.
Beijing, for its part, is seeking guarantees of its own from Iran: on the eve of the summit, it expects Tehran to refrain from any escalatory or radical steps.