Iran’s foreign minister travels to China in hopes of shoring up alliance with Beijing & Russia

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi took part in the meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) on Tuesday, in the hopes of deepening the regime’s ties with Russia and China.

Despite an existing alliance as well as financial and security cooperation, both powers didn’t offer Iran any substantial support during Israel’s 12-day air campaign earlier this month.

Araghchi called for broadening security cooperation between the SCO members, proposing “a permanent mechanism to monitor, document and coordinate responses to military aggression, acts of sabotage, state terrorism, and violations of national sovereignty of member states.”

Referring to Israeli and U.S. strikes in Iran as an “act of aggression,” Araghchi further advocated creating a regional security forum involving the member states’ defense and intelligence agencies.

China plays a crucial role in the Iranian economy by offering an outlet for Iran’s oil exports, while Russia and Iran have deepened their military cooperation through the production and sale of Iranian drones for Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The SCO was founded in 2001 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, before adding India, Pakistan, Iran and Belarus, as well as Iran in 2023.

Its 14 dialogue partners include Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Azerbaijan. 

Araghchi met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Foreign Minister Wang Yi , and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the event.

According to a readout, Yi vowed that China “will continue to support Iran in safeguarding its state sovereignty and national dignity, resisting power politics and bullying acts.”

Araghchi told Yi that Iran “has explicitly stated that it will not develop nuclear weapons but will not give up its legitimate right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy,” with Yi responding that China “respects Iran's right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy.”

After the meeting with Lavrov, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said both parties “reiterated the imperative of resolving the crisis surrounding Iran's nuclear programme exclusively through political and diplomatic means, in strict compliance with international law.”

These positive signals for Iran followed last week’s BRICS summit in Brazil, where the organization also expressed “grave concern” over the attacks on Iran last month, while at the same time, stating it supports a nuclear weapons-free Middle East.