Iran and China Deepen Strategic Partnership Amidst Regional Developments

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, the recent meeting between the Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran and a senior representative of the Chinese National People’s Congress signifies the strong resolve of both nations to deepen strategic relations and broaden multifaceted cooperation.

During his meeting on Friday with He Wei, the Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People’s Congress, who traveled to Tehran to attend the funeral ceremonies for the martyred Leader of the Revolution, Qalibaf stressed that the intensification of strategic relations and closer coordination between the two countries are essential, especially in light of the recent aggressions by the United States and Israel against Iran, as well as prevailing regional developments.

He Wei, in turn, highlighted the long-standing friendship between Iran and China and, referencing the tenth anniversary of the commencement of their comprehensive strategic partnership, affirmed Beijing’s readiness to further expand relations with Tehran across all domains.

The late Leader of the Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, consistently placed significant emphasis on deepening strategic ties with China. Following the visit of Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian to China last year for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit, the late Leader called for the full operationalization of all aspects of the strategic agreement with Beijing. During their meeting on the sidelines of the summit, Dr. Pezeshkian and Chinese President Xi Jinping also underscored the imperative to expedite the implementation of the 25-year comprehensive cooperation plan and enhance bilateral relations.

This comprehensive strategic agreement, which received approval from both nations after President Xi’s visit to Tehran in 2015 and his meeting with the martyred Leader of the Revolution, was signed by the foreign ministers of the two countries in Tehran in April 2021. Since then, Iran and China have made increasing efforts to consolidate their relationship.

During the Israeli and American aggressions against Iran in February of last year, the Chinese government consistently declared its support for Iran and strongly condemned the attacks on Iranian territory. In this context, the Chinese President presented a four-point plan in April of this year to promote peace and stability in the Middle East. This plan includes commitments to the principle of peaceful coexistence, adherence to national sovereignty, commitment to international law, and coordination in development and security, which was welcomed by Iranian officials.

China has consistently emphasized respect for Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and, with an implicit reference to the unilateral actions and bullying policies of the United States against Iran, has warned against the return of the international system to the “law of the jungle.”

As part of China’s support for Iran, particularly during the recent conflict and its stance on the aggression against Iranian territory, the further deepening of relations with this country is on the agenda of Iranian officials.

In mid-May 2026, Qalibaf was appointed as the “Special Envoy for China Affairs” at the suggestion of Dr. Pezeshkian and with the approval of Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, who was elected as the third Leader of the Revolution by a decisive vote of the Assembly of Experts. The objective of this appointment has been stated as strengthening strategic cooperation and advancing long-term agreements with Beijing.

His meeting on Friday with the Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People’s Congress, which was attended by Zhong Zewu, the Chinese Ambassador to Iran, and their remarks regarding the strengthening of bilateral relations, indicate that both countries are determined to further expand their cooperation towards deepening and developing strategic ties.

Overall, this meeting can be seen as a clear indication of Iran-China relations entering a phase where strategic cooperation is no longer confined to mere policy statements but is moving towards operational coordination, political convergence, and the expansion of multilayered cooperation in regional and international arenas. This trend, in light of the martyred Leader’s emphasis on the importance of strategic relations with China, can further highlight the standing of this partnership in the evolving international order.