Iranian Foreign Minister Visits China Amid Hormuz Tensions

by Lee Jieun

Published 05 May.2026 20:02(KST)

As military tensions between the United States and Iran continue around the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi embarked on a visit to China on May 5 (local time).

The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced via its Telegram channel that Minister Araghchi would be visiting Beijing, China, on this day.

Abbas Araghchi, Iranian Foreign Minister. Screenshot from the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Telegram.

The Ministry explained that during this visit, Minister Araghchi is scheduled to hold discussions with the Chinese Foreign Minister on ways to develop bilateral relations and the recent rapidly changing international situation.

Previously, Minister Araghchi and Wang Yi, Director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China and Foreign Minister, held a phone conversation on April 15, during which they exchanged views on the ongoing war situation.

At that time, Director Wang stated, "As a littoral country of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's sovereignty, security, and legitimate interests must be respected and protected. At the same time, the freedom and safety of navigation in this international strait must also be guaranteed." He added, "Efforts to restore normal passage through the strait are the unified voice of the international community." He also conveyed that China supports maintaining the momentum for a ceasefire and negotiations.

Previously, on May 4, the first day of the "Liberation Project," the U.S. military deployed Apache helicopters to destroy Iranian speedboats in the Strait of Hormuz to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels.

In response, Iran resumed attacks on the Gulf region, which had been halted since the ceasefire took effect on April 8. As a result of this attack, a fire broke out at the Fujairah Petrochemical Complex, a key energy facility in the UAE.