Iran’s envoy to China, Rahmani Fazli, stated that Beijing is “more than just an economic ally” but also a component of Tehran’s “political equilibrium” in response to outside threats, as reported by Iranian state news outlet IRNA.
“China holds significance for Iran beyond just being an economic ally or energy consumer; it plays a role in countering pressure, threats, and unilateral actions,” Fazli informed IRNA after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s trip to China and before US President Donald Trump’s journey to Beijing on Tuesday afternoon.
Fazli states that Araghchi’s trip occurred while Iran is working to redefine its diplomatic stance following the recent tensions with the United States and Israel, opting for strategic adjustments instead of merely responding with military force.
Fazli, as reported by IRNA, stated that “in navigating the post-war period, Iran is not just depending on short-term responses, but is aiming to reshape its diplomatic ties by collaborating with strategic allies,” further noting that “China perceives the crisis not as a means to exert pressure on Iran but as an opportunity to manage conflict and avoid the deterioration of regional security.”
Although Beijing is seen as a possible intermediary between Washington and Tehran, “mediation must not turn into a means of exerting pressure on Iran,” Fazli stated.
Concerning the Strait of Hormuz, the Iranian official noted that Iran’s security actions in the waterway are protective rather than anti-commercial.
Ahead of Trump’s visit to Beijing, the US Treasury Department sanctioned 12 individuals and organizations for facilitating the “sale and shipment of Iranian oil” to China.
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