In talks between China's and Iran’s top diplomats Wednesday in Beijing, the Chinese foreign minister emphasized China’s support for Iran’s right to develop a peaceful nuclear energy program while criticizing "unilateral sanctions" on Tehran. 

What happened: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in the Chinese capital on Wednesday at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, his second such visit in less than a month. Iran’s top diplomat met with Wang and China’s First Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang. The meetings come amid intensifying diplomacy between Tehran and its strong international backers, China and Russia, as the Islamic Republic navigates a critical phase in its nuclear negotiations with Washington. 

During the meeting between the foreign ministers, the two exchanged views on the progress of the Iranian nuclear talks, and China’s foreign minister emphasized that China supports the ongoing dialogue and “respects Iran’s right to peacefully use nuclear energy,” according to the Chinese state news agency China Daily.

Wang also reiterated China’s position against “the arbitrary use of force and illegal unilateral sanctions” on Iran over its nuclear program. US President Donald Trump, who has instituted a campaign of heavy sanctions on the Islamic Republic since entering office, has threatened to bomb Iran should talks fail.