Abbas Araghchi says the US is willing to continue talks and that Iran welcomes potential diplomatic support from China

Abbas Araghchi said on Friday that Iran had received messages from the United States expressing willingness to continue diplomatic talks, while Tehran remained open to assistance from any country, including China.

“We have again received messages from the Americans saying they are willing to continue the talks and maintain engagement,” Araghchi told reporters in the Indian capital.

His remarks came a day after Donald Trump said Chinese President Xi Jinping had offered Beijing’s support in reopening the Strait of Hormuz and pledged not to provide military equipment to Iran during its conflict with the United States and Israel.

“We appreciate any country capable of helping, especially China,” Araghchi said after attending a meeting of the BRICS bloc in New Delhi.

“We enjoy very good relations with China and are strategic partners. We know the Chinese have good intentions, so any effort they make to support diplomacy would be welcomed by the Islamic Republic,” he added.

China said it had been working to help end the conflict since fighting erupted following US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.

“There is no point in continuing this conflict, which should never have happened in the first place,” China’s foreign ministry told AFP, adding that an early resolution would serve the interests of Iran, the United States, regional countries and the wider international community.

Pakistan has so far played the leading mediation role between Washington and Tehran, although the first round of talks held in Islamabad in April ended without an agreement.

“The mediation process led by Pakistan has not failed, but it is facing significant difficulties, mainly because of the Americans’ behaviour and the deep mistrust between the two sides,” Araghchi said.