Updated

Chinese officials, including Premier Li Qiang, the NPC chairman and Beijing's ambassador to Tehran, reiterated on October 19, 2026 China's commitment to stable, long-term relations with Iran. Li Qiang condemned what he called the US-Israeli-imposed war against Iran and reaffirmed opposition to unilateral US sanctions during a meeting with Iranian First Vice President Mohammad-Reza Aref at a Shanghai Cooperation Organization gathering in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The statements followed similar remarks from China's ambassador in Tehran pledging deeper bilateral cooperation in economic and technology sectors, underscoring Beijing's continued diplomatic and economic backing for Iran amid Western sanctions pressure.