Iran15 September, 20263 min read
Abbas Araghchi Returns to Beijing for Talks With Wang Yi Amid Iran-US War
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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi travels to Beijing for talks with Wang Yi. Beijing urges Iran and the US to resume talks and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
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China trip amid war
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to return to Beijing on Wednesday for talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, in a second visit to the Chinese capital since the US-Israel war on Iran began at the end of February. The Al Jazeera report links Araghchi’s travel to a wider diplomatic rhythm, saying the meetings in May and now in September highlight the role China has played during the war, framing itself as a neutral party that wants an end to the conflict.
Al Jazeera also says Xi urged the BRICS bloc to act as peacemakers in the Middle East conflict and promoted a broad four-point plan for de-escalation centered on peaceful coexistence, respect for national sovereignty, adherence to international law, and balancing development and security. Inside Iran, former Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Xi’s “constructive initiatives offer timely openings to de-escalate tensions,” while Hamed Vafaei said treating Xi’s remarks as an offer to mediate between Iran and the US was more of a “free interpretation” than reality.
Nuclear pressure and sanctions
Araghchi’s China talks are also expected to include Iran’s nuclear programme as Washington attempts to renew focus on Tehran’s activities, after the US and European allies pushed the International Atomic Energy Agency to refer Iran to the UN Security Council. Al Jazeera says the last such referral came 20 years ago and was followed by six UN Security Council resolutions and sweeping sanctions that hit Iran’s economy hard, while this time the move is expected to be largely symbolic because China and Russia strongly oppose it and can veto new measures.
The report adds that Iran’s nuclear chief Mohammad Eslami was barred from attending this week’s IAEA General Conference in Vienna under “snapback” sanctions reimposed by European powers last year. On the US side, Al Jazeera says the US launched “Operation Economic Outcast” to further isolate the Iranian government and tries to choke off the country through a naval blockade of Iran’s southern ports, while also targeting China-linked refineries, companies and financial channels facilitating dealings with Iran.
War costs and possible talks
As the conflict continues with no clear end in sight, the Pentagon’s first formal tally of losses described in a CNN en Español report says Iranian attacks damaged and destroyed hundreds of buildings and structures at U.S. bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman, and Jordan during the war’s early months. CNN en Español also reports that the inspector general said the period from the start of the war on February 28 to June 30 included depletion of key U.S. munition stocks and that CENTCOM “relocated personnel, assets, and storage facilities” while under attack by Iran and its allied forces.
In parallel, France 24 quotes Donald Trump on Truth Social saying, “The failing Nation of Iran wants to make a deal, quickly and badly,” and that he will decide whether the USA will choose to engage, adding, “The concept of which we are open to.” France 24’s account frames the diplomatic opening against the backdrop of ongoing strikes, while CNN en Español describes how damage to facilities and shortages of supplies complicated U.S. operations and led to changes such as medical evacuations being conducted by land to local care centers.