Iran's Araghchi to visit China following stops in Moscow and Rome
2 Min Read
Following Moscow, Araghchi is scheduled to meet US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in Rome on Saturday for the second round of indirect nuclear negotiations.
-
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi attends a news conference following his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow, Russia, Friday, April 18, 2025 (Tatyana Makeyeva/Pool Photo via AP)
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced on Friday that he will head to Beijing next week for consultations with senior Chinese officials, as part of a broader diplomatic effort to coordinate with key allies during a pivotal moment in US-Iran nuclear talks.
"Next week, I will head to Beijing for consultations with my Chinese counterparts," Araghchi said, according to Iran's official news agency IRNA.
The visit comes as Iran intensifies diplomatic outreach to secure support from strategic partners while facing indirect talks with the United States. Araghchi has just concluded a two-day visit to Moscow, where he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. During the visit, he delivered a message from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and held in-depth discussions on regional cooperation and the current nuclear talks.
Following Moscow, Araghchi is scheduled to meet US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in Rome on Saturday for the second round of indirect nuclear talks. These talks follow initial discussions in Oman on April 12, which both parties described as constructive. Witkoff called the talks "positive and constructive," while Araghchi thanked Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi for his country's mediation.
Read more: US serious about nuclear talks, Araghchi says from Russia
The renewed talks come amid heightened diplomatic activity. In Moscow, Araghchi stated that an agreement with the US is still possible, provided Washington adopts a realistic position and avoids unrealistic demands. According to Iranian officials, the outcome of the Rome talks may help determine the trajectory of future engagement.
China, a key signatory of the original 2015 nuclear deal, has consistently backed diplomatic solutions and opposes unilateral US sanctions. Araghchi's upcoming trip to Beijing is expected to focus on consolidating China's role in supporting Iran's negotiating position and ensuring that any future agreement aligns with broader multilateral interests.
