The key facts

  • China's Special Envoy Zhai Jun held meetings in Tehran with Ali Bagheri Kani, Deputy Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, and Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi
  • The Yemeni crisis, political settlement, and future arrangements for regional security were discussed
  • The visit is part of Zhai's November tour of Iran, Oman, and Saudi Arabia

Talks in Tehran

Iranian and Chinese officials discussed the crisis in Yemen and future arrangements for regional security in Tehran on Sunday, the Anadolu agency reported, citing statements from both sides. China's Special Envoy for the Middle East Zhai Jun met with Ali Bagheri Kani, Deputy Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, and Mohammad Ali Bek, head of the Persian Gulf Department at Iran's Foreign Ministry.

What the sides discussed

According to a statement published on Monday on the Chinese Foreign Ministry's website, the meetings focused on bilateral relations and the situation in the Middle East. In a post on the social network X, Ali Bek specified that the talks with Zhai concerned the Yemeni crisis, the need for a political settlement, and future mechanisms for regional security. According to him, both sides stressed the importance of continuing consultations between Tehran and Beijing.

Context of the visit

The visit to Tehran is part of a broader tour: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning previously announced that in the first half of November Zhai Jun would visit Iran, Oman, and Saudi Arabia as part of Beijing's diplomatic efforts to promote regional peace and stability. According to her, the trips are intended to advance initiatives proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping. No concrete outcomes of the Tehran talks are reported in available publications.