Chinese Premier Li Qiang has strongly criticised United States and Israeli actions against Iran, calling them aggression and repeating Beijing’s opposition to unilateral American sanctions, according to Mehr News Agency.
Li made the remarks during a meeting with Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, on the sidelines of a Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) prime ministers’ meeting on Monday.
He said the US and Israeli attacks on Iran had taken place while negotiations were still under way and without authorisation from the United Nations Security Council. China’s condemnation of those actions, he added, was “clear and firm.”
Li also reaffirmed China’s opposition to unilateral US sanctions on Iran. He called for the revival of the Islamabad Agreement and said Beijing would continue to support Iran’s legitimate rights in international forums.
The Chinese premier described the relationship between Tehran and Beijing as deep and historic. He said the two countries’ ancient civilisations and long-standing cultural ties provided a strong basis for closer friendship and cooperation.
Li said China was determined to deepen its relations with Iran and would firmly defend what it described as Iran’s legitimate rights on the international stage.
His comments come at a sensitive moment for the Middle East, where tensions between Iran, the United States and Israel remain high. China has positioned itself as an important diplomatic partner for Tehran, while also maintaining extensive economic and trade ties with Iran.
For Iran, Beijing’s support carries both political and practical weight. China is one of Iran’s most significant trading partners, and its backing gives Tehran a powerful voice in international discussions at a time when Western sanctions continue to restrict its economy.
The meeting in Dushanbe also highlighted the growing role of the SCO, a Eurasian security and economic bloc that includes China, Russia, Iran and several Central Asian states. Iranian officials have increasingly used such forums to seek support against Western pressure.
Li’s remarks signal that China intends to keep Iran close, both diplomatically and economically. But they also deepen the divide between Beijing and Washington over how to handle Iran’s nuclear programme, regional influence and the future of international sanctions.
