China's top diplomat, Wang Yi, met with Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, on Wednesday. This is their first meeting since the Iran war, and it comes just days before President Donald Trump's scheduled visit to Beijing.

According to the official statement, Araghchi would discuss bilateral ties and regional and global developments with Wang Yi.

Amir Handjani, a board member at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, called the China-Iran meeting "deeply strategic," reported CNBC. Handjani said that Tehran and Beijing are "aligning their interests" as they prepare for Trump's potential May summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Handjani also pointed out China's stake in preserving stability in the Persian Gulf to secure uninterrupted trade and energy flows. China's leadership aims to keep oil tankers moving and ensure continued trade from the Persian Gulf to Asian markets, he said.

Meanwhile, Danny Russel from the Asia Society Policy Institute said that for Tehran, the visit to China is seen as a way to demonstrate to the U.S. that it "isn't isolated" and has options, as it seeks to strengthen its bargaining position in the standoff with Washington.

US Pauses Escort Mission, Tightens Grip On China

This meeting comes in the wake of Trump's latest decision to temporarily halt 'Project Freedom,' a military-backed operation designed to escort commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, which began late Sunday. The president stated that the blockade would remain in place, and he wanted to see if the "agreement can be finalized and signed."

In late April, the U.S. Treasury warned banks that they would face sanctions if they facilitated transactions with Chinese refineries that import Iranian oil. The Treasury highlighted that these transactions aid Iran's regime, military, and weapons programs.

Previously, Trump warned China of "big problems" if it supplies Iran with air defense systems amid U.S. intelligence reports about Beijing's plan to send MANPAD anti-air missile systems via third parties to Tehran.