BEIJING – China’s important position as a major global mediator has been revealed again following a visit to Beijing from Iran’s Abbas Arakich, ahead of the third round of indirect negotiations between Tehran and Washington.
The top Iranian diplomat will travel to China on Tuesday to meet with senior Chinese officials.
“It’s only natural to consult with China and briefly explain the latest developments in indirect talks between Iran and the US,” Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaille Bhagihai said on Monday.
Baghaei described China’s role in the negotiation process as constructive.
He also said a significant portion of Araqchi’s trip was intended to advance the implementation of an agreement between Iran and China in line with the growing relationship.
In response to Araqchi’s visit to Beijing, a spokesman for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also linked importance to bilateral relations.
“China and Iran maintain exchanges and contacts at all levels and at various fields,” Guo Zi-Kung said Monday.
Iran and the United States began indirect negotiations on Iran’s nuclear issue earlier this month.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Steve Witkov, and President Donald Trump’s Middle East Envoy (West Asia) led two rounds of talks in Oman and Italy on April 12th and 19th, respectively.
Tehran and Washington are scheduled to hold expert-level technical discussions in the Oman capital on April 23rd. Arachki and Witkov will hold a third round indirect talk in Muscat three days later.
“The start of the expert level track will begin in the next few days to launch details. After that, we will be in a better position to judge. For now, optimism may be necessary, but there is a lot of attention to it,” Araqchi said in an X post on April 19th.
Iran praised Oman and Italy’s role in deeming the talks positive.
China previously encouraged discussions about Iran’s nuclear situation a month ago.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi hosted Foreign Minister Kazem Galibabadi, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Riabakov, at the guesthouse in Diayotai Province, Beijing on March 14th. China and Russia recognized Iran’s qualifications for peaceful nuclear technology and advocated for the elimination of US sanctions.
Over the past few years, China has played a role in advocating solutions to global and regional challenges through dialogue.
China helped to promote a settlement between Iran and Saudi Arabia in March 2023. In July 2024, the Palestinian factions reached consensus through China-mediated contracts to resolve the conflict as well Hamas and Fatah.
For now, Araqchi’s travel to China highlights Beijing’s prominent role in global diplomacy more than ever before. China advocates multilateralism and denies a one-sided approach.
During his first term in 2018, Trump unilaterally withdrew from Iran’s nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and reimposed severe sanctions on Tehran.
Now Trump’s call for a nuclear deal with Iran highlights his previous threats and the inefficiency of offensive rhetoric towards the country.