[Wang Yi talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi] On September 16, 2026, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister, held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi in Beijing. Wang Yi said that the current situation in the Middle East continues to be turbulent and has seriously affected international peace and development. As a permanent member of the Security Council, China is willing to play a constructive role in resolving international disputes. China and Iran are comprehensive strategic partners, and China is willing to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with Iran to safeguard Iran's legitimate rights and interests. The continued prolongation of the war between the United States and Iran is not in the common interest of the parties concerned and the international community. We encourage Iran and the United States to maintain rationality and restraint, return to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding as soon as possible, reconstruct the negotiation mechanism based on the consensus reached so far, and conduct substantive consultations on issues of respective concern. We support Iran to engage in dialogue with Gulf countries, respect each other's territorial sovereignty and national security, and safeguard regional common interests in a constructive manner. We urge all parties to take effective measures to open the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible to maintain the smooth and safe international waterways and maintain the stability of international energy transportation and production and supply chains. We do not want regional tensions to spill over further to Yemen and the Red Sea. We call on all parties to stop further complicating the situation and resolve the issue through dialogue and negotiation. Wang Yi pointed out that the current situation has once again proved that the existing security architecture in the Middle East is imperfect and needs to be reformed and strengthened. During his visit to Egypt, President Xi Jinping put forward four initiatives in this regard, supporting regional countries to uphold a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security concept and build a new security architecture in the Middle East. We welcome useful exploration in this regard by regional countries. On the Middle East issue, China, as a responsible major country, will continue to contribute to peace and stability, to promoting peace and negotiation, and to fairness and justice. Wang Yi said that China maintains continuity and stability in its policy towards Iran, always upholds justice in the Security Council and multilateral platforms, opposes the use of force, and upholds the norms of international relations. China is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with Iran to promote new progress in China-Iran relations. Araghchi briefed on the latest situation in the Middle East and Gulf region and Iran's next steps, saying that Iran does not want the conflict to continue and hopes to return to diplomatic settlement channels while firmly safeguarding its own rights and interests. Iran believes that the memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran is still valid, that Iran has reached a plan with Amanda to open the Strait of Hormuz, and that the United States should earnestly implement various commitments it has made. Iran is also willing to carry out dialogue and consultation with regional countries, establish and develop good-neighborly and friendly relations, and promote the early restoration of peace and tranquility in the region. Iran welcomes and supports President Xi Jinping's four-point proposal for maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East and promoting regional common security. It is willing to strengthen cooperation with China under this framework and looks forward to China playing a greater role in regional peace and stability. Araghchi said that Iran attaches great importance to its relations with China and is willing to continue to firmly support each other with China, intensify exchanges at all levels, deepen practical cooperation, jointly respond to challenges, and promote the sustained and in-depth development of bilateral relations. The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional hotspot issues of common interest. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)