Iran’s Foreign Minister Heads to China Ahead of New Round of Nuclear Talks
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi will travel to China on Tuesday for high-level consultations ahead of a fresh round of nuclear negotiations with the United States, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei announced Monday.
The visit comes ahead of a third round of indirect US-Iran talks scheduled for Saturday in Oman, as both sides seek a potential path forward on limiting Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.
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Araqchi, who visited Moscow last week, emphasized the importance of “consulting with friends” China and Russia in the lead-up to any agreements with Washington. “It is natural that we will consult and brief China over the latest developments in Iran-US indirect talks,” Baghaei said. “Beijing can play a constructive role in this process.”
Talks between Tehran and Washington resumed earlier this month after a prolonged stalemate. Iran continues to reject Western accusations that it is pursuing a nuclear weapon, insisting its nuclear program is strictly for peaceful purposes. In return for placing limits on its nuclear activities, Iran is demanding the lifting of crippling US sanctions reimposed by President Donald Trump during his first term in 2018 after he pulled the US out of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
Since returning to office in January, Trump has escalated pressure on Tehran, including issuing new sanctions targeting China’s independent “teapot” refineries—key buyers of Iranian crude oil. These small-scale Chinese plants have been instrumental in sustaining Iran’s economy amid mounting restrictions.
