China, Iran talks add twist ahead of Trump's visit

May 06, 2026 (MLN): China and Iran have stepping up diplomatic coordination as tensions in the Middle East disrupt global energy flows and threaten shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for oil and gas supplies.

With commercial traffic slowing and Beijing keen to protect trade and energy interests, stability in the Persian Gulf has become a key priority ahead of a major U.S.-China summit.

In that context, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Wang Yi in Beijing on Wednesday, marking their first talks since the outbreak of the conflict involving Tehran.

The meeting comes just days before Donald Trump is scheduled to visit China for discussions with Xi Jinping, highlighting the strategic timing of the engagement.

The visit was initiated by Beijing and publicly announced shortly before it took place. Iran’s foreign ministry said the talks would cover bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues, according to China’s state-backed Xinhua News Agency, CNBC reported.

The meeting is viewed as part of a broader effort by Tehran and Beijing to align their positions ahead of the upcoming U.S.-China summit.

China has consistently called for an immediate ceasefire and the protection of commercial shipping, stressing the importance of keeping energy supplies flowing through the Strait of Hormuz, which previously handled about 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.

Despite the disruption, China  the world’s largest buyer of Gulf energy has managed the impact through stockpiles and a diversified energy mix. Still, prolonged instability raises concerns about inflationary pressures and potential economic fallout if shipping routes remain constrained.

For Iran, the visit signals it is not isolated internationally and is seeking to strengthen its diplomatic and economic backing.

Tehran is expected to seek assurances from Beijing on continued oil trade, financial channels, and political support amid tensions with Washington.

In turn, China is likely to encourage Iran to avoid escalating threats to Gulf infrastructure and to support efforts toward reopening key maritime routes.

The talks also come amid rising friction between Beijing and Washington, particularly after China pushed back against U.S. sanctions on Chinese refiners purchasing Iranian crude. Ahead of Trump’s visit, U.S. officials have urged China to use its influence with Iran to help restore commercial shipping.

On the other hand, U.S President Donald Trump, on  truth social said that, following requests from Pakistan and other countries and citing U.S. military gains,Washington and Tehran had made progress toward a potential agreement.

He added that while the blockade would remain in place, a program aimed at allowing ship movement through the Strait of Hormuz would be temporarily paused to test whether a final deal could be reached.

The development appeared to ease immediate supply concerns, with oil prices falling toward the $107 range while gold prices moved higher, reflecting shifting market sentiment.

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