Iran's Foreign Minister Meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of SCO Summit

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Tuesday, ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Tianjin. This rare diplomatic engagement comes as Iran faces increasing isolation from Western powers, particularly after coordinated strikes on its nuclear facilities by Israel with backing from the United States. Araghchi emphasized that the SCO is rapidly evolving beyond its regional identity, asserting itself globally across energy, security, and trade domains.

Key Takeaways:

• The SCO meeting in Tianjin is expected to produce several declarations on security cooperation, energy integration, and alternative financial channels, solidifying Iran's pivot eastward.
• China's invitation for a high-level meeting with Xi Jinping is seen as a powerful diplomatic endorsement of Iran's Eastward pivot, advocating for non-interference, multilateral dialogue, and resistance to Western sanctions.
• Tehran's economic ties with China remain crucial, with Beijing importing around 90% of Iran's sanctioned oil exports, creating a de facto economic corridor that sustains Tehran's energy sector.
• Araghchi reaffirmed Iran's vision for the SCO as the "rising voice of the Global South," pressing for a payment infrastructure independent of the dollar system, safeguarding member states from coercive economic pressure.
• Iran is expected to co-chair the next SCO energy commission with Kazakhstan and China, deepening its long-term footprint in regional energy diplomacy.
• Xi Jinping's decision to welcome Araghchi personally reflects China's growing willingness to stand with Iran in the face of what both nations perceive as Western aggression and destabilization.

Statistics:

• Beijing imports around 90% of Iran's sanctioned oil exports, creating a de facto economic corridor that sustains Tehran's energy sector.
• Iran's oil exports to China are worth billions of dollars annually.
• Iran is expected to co-chair the next SCO energy commission with Kazakhstan and China, adding to its long-term footprint in regional energy diplomacy.

Sources:

• Reuters: "Iran hold talks with Chinese, Russian partners at SCO summit" (2025-07-15)
• Al Mayadeen: "Iran's Araghchi meets China's Xi Jinping ahead of SCO summit" (exact date not provided)
• Al Monitor: "Iran's Araghchi meet China, Russia FMs at Shanghai Cooperation meeting" (2025-07-11)
• Reuters: "Iran, Kazakhstan, China to co-chair SCO energy commission, sources say" (exact date not provided)