Valiati: We Should Not Allow Trump's Return to Affect China-Iran Relations

Ali Akbar Velayati, advisor to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, described the relationship between the Islamic Republic and the People's Republic of China as "close and cordial" and of "high importance." Referring to Donald Trump's election as President of the United States, he stated, "We should not allow events happening around us to affect the relations between China and Iran." These remarks were made during his meeting with "Kong Piyu," the Chinese ambassador in Tehran, and reported by ISNA on Sunday night, November 18. According to this report, the advisor to Ali Khamenei told the Chinese ambassador that he believes "Trump's coming to power will not affect the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, especially its relations with China." Velayati, who served as Iran's foreign minister for 16 years until 1997, currently advises Ali Khamenei. China is Iran's largest trading partner and one of the main buyers of the Islamic Republic's sanctioned oil. Mohsen Paknejad, Iran's Minister of Oil, stated last week that the Islamic Republic has no "serious" concerns regarding oil sales after Trump's election. However, following this statement, reports emerged that a Chinese refinery, in an unprecedented move due to "changing conditions," ordered oil from Africa instead of Iran and Russia. Trump, who implemented a "maximum pressure" policy against Iran during his first term, has nominated Marco Rubio, a politician known for his hostility towards both China and Iran, as his Secretary of State for his new term. The "maximum pressure" policy includes the imposition of new and old sanctions against Tehran, complicating Beijing's efforts to engage Iran in the extensive infrastructure project "One Belt, One Road." Iran and China signed a 25-year strategic agreement in 2021 covering areas including energy, security, infrastructure, and communications. In September, Wang Yi, China's Foreign Minister, told Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian that China "will support Iran, regardless of how international and regional situations evolve." However, after Trump's victory in the elections, Xi Jinping, the leader of China, stated in a recent meeting with Joe Biden, the President of the United States, that China is ready to cooperate with the new U.S. government "to maintain communications, expand cooperation, and manage differences."