Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held talks in Beijing with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Wednesday amid tensions with the United States, Chinese and Iranian state media reported.
Araghchi thanked China at the meeting for condemning the US-Israeli war on Iran and called Beijing "a close friend" of his country, the Iranian news agency ISNA reported. Cooperation between the two countries is growing during the current situation, he added.
According to China's Foreign Ministry, Wang stressed that the fighting must be stopped, hostilities must not resume and negotiations are particularly important.
China supports Iran in safeguarding its national security and sovereignty and appreciates its willingness to seek a political solution, the ministry said.
Wang said that the international community shares an interest in resuming normal and safe shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Beijing hopes the respective sides will respond to the call of the international community as soon as possible, he said.
Talks ahead of possible Trump trip to China
China and Iran are close economic partners and the country is seen as the largest buyer of Iranian oil. Beijing has already repeatedly criticized the US approach towards Iran.
Wang and Araghchi met a little more than a week before a planned trip to China by US President Donald Trump. Washington has announced the visit, but Beijing has not yet confirmed it. Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said both sides were in contact regarding the visit, but he provided no additional details.
