In Moscow, during a sideline meeting of the BRICS deputy foreign ministers on Middle East affairs, China’s special envoy Zhai Jun labeled Iran a “special partner” in West Asia.
Yesterday’s discussion featured interactions with Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Ali Bagheri Kani, where Zhai expressed appreciation for Tehran’s regional actions and condemned Israel’s recent attack on Iran’s consulate in Syria. He also praised the Islamic Republic for its role in defending Palestinian rights.
China, Iran’s biggest trade partner, continues to deepen ties with Tehran, especially following the US reinstatement of sanctions on Iran in 2018 after exiting the 2015 nuclear deal. The two civilisation-states fortified their alliance in 2021 by signing a 25-year “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement,” aimed at broadening cooperation across various sectors including economic, political, and defense, established during President Xi Jinping’s 2016 Tehran visit.
Additionally, Kani met with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov to discuss Tehran-Moscow bilateral relations and regional issues. On another note, Iran urged the BRICS nations to help end Israel’s genocide in Gaza and called for humanitarian aid and the withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from Palestinian territories.
Separately, on the same day, Iran’s Defence Minister Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani met with his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun on the sidelines of the 21st meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Defence Ministers in Astana, Kazakhstan, PressTV reported.
Hailing Beijing’s stance on the ongoing developments in West Asia and its condemnation of Israel’s terrorist airstrike against Iran’s consulate. It is necessary for Iran and China to boost cooperation and convergence to solve security issues in the region and across the world, the Iranian defence chief said.
