On Tuesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, saying China “supports Iran in safeguarding its territorial integrity, national sovereignty and dignity” and stressing that “force is not the right way to resolve differences.”

“The relationship between China and Iran has withstood the test of international volatility,” Xi said, adding that China has consistently prioritized developing ties with Iran in its Middle East diplomacy.

“China values Iran’s repeated commitment not to seek nuclear weapons and respects Iran’s right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes,” Xi said, noting that Beijing “will continue to uphold justice and promote a resolution to the Iranian nuclear issue.”

For his part, Pezeshkian said Iran “will deepen cooperation with China regardless of international developments.” He added that his country “is willing to work closely with China to jointly oppose unilateralism and power politics.”

Pezeshkian took part Sunday and Monday in the 25th summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), held in the northeastern Chinese city of Tianjin. At the event, the Iranian president condemned the ongoing massacre in Gaza and described as illegal the military aggression against his country carried out by Israel and the United States in June.

Pezeshkian’s visit to Beijing comes amid rising tensions between Iran and the West, as Tehran seeks to expand strategic alliances and strengthen ties with key partners such as China and Russia in the face of international pressure over its nuclear program.

In this context, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday underscored the importance of deepening ties with China “to drive significant changes in regional and global affairs.”

On Wednesday, Pezeshkian is set to attend a military parade in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in the Pacific. Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un are also expected to attend.