Iran is prepared to pursue a diplomatic resolution to its conflict with the United States rather than continue fighting, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on Wednesday. Araghchi said Tehran would maintain its defense of rights it regards as legitimate while seeking a return to negotiations.
The diplomatic framework for ending the conflict featured prominently in the discussions. According to China’s Foreign Ministry, Wang called for Washington and Tehran to return to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. Araghchi said Iran still regarded the Iran-US memorandum as operative, urged Washington to fulfil its obligations and expressed readiness for closer cooperation with Beijing under that framework.
China’s position, as outlined by Wang, combined support for Iran’s rights and interests with an appeal for restraint from both sides. He said Beijing wanted stronger dialogue and cooperation with Tehran and was prepared to help resolve international disputes constructively.
Maritime access was another focus of the talks. Araghchi reported that Tehran and Oman had agreed on arrangements to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Wang urged all parties to take practical steps towards restoring passage through the waterway promptly.
Araghchi also gave Wang an account of developments across West Asia and the Gulf. Their discussions took place against a backdrop of intensifying regional hostilities following military advances by Yemen’s Houthis, the Iran-aligned political and armed movement formally called Ansar Allah.
The Houthis have increased their attacks against Saudi Arabia and seized control of the strategically important Bab el-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea. Wang said Beijing opposed any further spread of regional tensions into Yemen and the Red Sea, alongside his call for Iran and the U.S. to exercise restraint.
Wednesday’s encounter followed recent diplomatic contacts in India. Araghchi met both Wang and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during the September 12–13 BRICS summit in New Delhi, which he attended with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
The Beijing talks also preceded a planned U.S. visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping by one week. Xi is scheduled to meet U.S. President Donald Trump, with the war on Iran and conditions in the Strait of Hormuz expected to be among the subjects they discuss.
