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In a Signal to Trump, Beijing Hosts Iranian Diplomat Ahead of U.S.-China Summit
Confirmed
In Short: Beijing hosted Iran's top diplomat, Abbas Araghchi, days before an expected summit between President Trump and China's leader, Xi Jinping, according to reports. This move is seen as a signal to the White House that China has leverage over Iran.
During a meeting with Araghchi, China's top diplomat, Wang Yi, repeated Beijing's calls for an end to the war in Iran and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Araghchi stated that Iran is prepared to defend itself but also welcomes diplomatic solutions to secure its rights.
China and Iran are described as comprehensive strategic partners, with China willing to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with Iran to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests. Wang encouraged Tehran to continue dialogue with countries it is fighting in the Persian Gulf, where China has developed close diplomatic ties.
China's support for Iran includes supplying technology and raw materials for missile and drone production, and defying Western sanctions by purchasing more than 90% of Iran's oil exports before the Strait of Hormuz closed. This support has recently faced pressure from the United States, making China's influence over Iran more significant.
What's confirmed
- During a meeting with Araghchi, China's top diplomat, Wang Yi, repeated Beijing's calls for an end to the war in Iran and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Araghchi stated that Iran is prepared to defend itself but also welcomes diplomatic solutions to secure its rights.
- China and Iran are described as comprehensive strategic partners, with China willing to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with Iran to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests. Wang encouraged Tehran to continue dialogue with countries it is fighting in the Persian Gulf, where China has developed close diplomatic ties.
- China's support for Iran includes supplying technology and raw materials for missile and drone production, and defying Western sanctions by purchasing more than 90% of Iran's oil exports before the Strait of Hormuz closed. This support has recently faced pressure from the United States, making China's influence over Iran more significant.
What's still developing
- India has summoned Pakistan’s top diplomat in New Delhi in protest against a collision between the two countries’ navies in the Arabian Sea.
- The suspect, identified as Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi, 32, allegedly sought revenge for the 2020 US drone strike ordered by President Donald Trump in his earlier term that killed Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani.
- HONG KONG — Beijing showed off its close ties to Tehran on Wednesday by hosting Iran’s top diplomat days before an expected summit between President Donald Trump and China’s leader, Xi Jinping.
- The meeting between Wang and Araghchi, who also met in Beijing days before Trump’s summit with Xi in China in May, sends a signal to the White House that Beijing has leverage over Tehran at a time when Trump appears to be running out of options to bring the war to an end on favorable terms for the United States.
- That influence stems from critical support that China provides to Iran, which China considers its closest strategic partner in the Middle East.