By Sabiu Abdullahi
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, on Wednesday held talks with China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, in Beijing as tensions continue to rise over the Strait of Hormuz.
The visit comes just one week before United States President Donald Trump is expected in Beijing for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping scheduled for May 14 and 15.
China’s state news agency, Xinhua, confirmed that the meeting between both officials had commenced, although it did not disclose details of the discussions.
This trip marks Araghchi’s first visit to China, a key ally of Tehran, since the US-Israel war on Iran began on February 28. Since the outbreak of the conflict, both ministers have maintained contact through several phone conversations.
In Washington, DC, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he hopes China will urge Iran to ease its grip on the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global oil and gas shipments.
Iran shut the strait shortly after the conflict started, a move that triggered a sharp rise in fuel and fertiliser prices and unsettled the global economy.
Although a ceasefire was reached in April, the United States later imposed a blockade on Iranian ports in an effort to pressure Tehran into accepting its conditions for peace.
Reporting from Beijing, Al Jazeera’s Katrina Yu said the meeting is expected to focus mainly on sustaining the ceasefire and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
“We know that China has been very critical of the US’s naval blockade on Iranian ports, calling it dangerous. But increasingly, Beijing has also been critical of Iran’s decision to continually close that vital chokepoint,” Yu said.
She added that China may seek clarity from Iran on its future actions, while Tehran is also looking for assurances of continued Chinese support.
“Iran will need Chinese backing, for example, at the United Nations, to continue to block any action that would put any additional sanctions on Iran because of its closure of the strait,” Yu said.
“Reportedly, the Iranian foreign minister is looking for clarity from Beijing as to what it will put on the table when Xi meets with Trump, and whether Beijing will be making any concessions to Washington that could make Tehran nervous.”
China, on its part, is said to be seeking guarantees from Iran that it will avoid any escalation ahead of the high-level meeting between Xi and Trump.
Meanwhile, President Trump has announced a temporary halt to a US military mission aimed at escorting stranded vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.
The operation, which started earlier in the week, had heightened tensions after the US military claimed it destroyed several Iranian boats that allegedly tried to disrupt the effort. The United Arab Emirates also accused Iran of launching missile and drone attacks, including one that caused a fire at an oil facility. Tehran has denied involvement.
Trump wrote on Truth Social that the pause followed appeals “on the request of Pakistan and other Countries” and because “Great Progress has been made toward a Complete and Final Agreement with Representatives of Iran”.
Pakistan has been playing a leading role in mediating between Washington and Tehran. Direct talks were held in Islamabad on April 11 and 12, but both sides failed to reach an agreement.
Key disagreements remain, including US demands for Iran to stop all nuclear enrichment activities, while Tehran insists on maintaining control over the Strait of Hormuz.
