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Iran-China diplomatic relations and regional conflict

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2026-09-16 15:16 UTC → 2026-09-17 06:18 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Diplomatic relations between Iran and China have been subject to scrutiny amid a broader military conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. Initially, the Office of the Special Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran in China denied reports that Beijing had imposed conditions on bilateral relations or upcoming diplomatic visits. These reports had suggested China required Iran to resolve tensions with the United States and Saudi Arabia and to reopen the Strait of Hormuz without fees. Iranian officials characterized such claims as inaccurate, asserting that China’s opposition to unilateral U.S. sanctions demonstrates a supportive stance. Following these denials, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi traveled to Beijing for high-level talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. During these discussions, Wang Yi expressed China’s willingness to safeguard Iran’s legitimate rights and interests, while urging both Tehran and Washington to rebuild negotiation mechanisms based on previous consensus. Wang also called for restraint to prevent tensions from spreading to Yemen and the Red Sea, urging all parties to take measures to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Araghchi emphasized that Iran views the Islamabad Memorandum as a valid framework, stating the U.S. must fulfill its commitments for the strait to be reopened. Araghchi also dismissed Pentagon reports regarding U.S. military losses during Operation Epic Fury—which detailed 18 deaths, over 400 injuries, and nearly 29 billion euros in costs—claiming the reported damage to U.S. bases is merely ‘the tip of the iceberg.’ This diplomatic engagement occurs ahead of a scheduled meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on September 24. Recent developments include a Pentagon inspector general report indicating that the conflict has cost the United States approximately $33.4 billion through June 30, 2026.

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