JAKARTA – Iran convened a trilateral meeting with China and Saudi Arabia in Tehran on Tuesday, marking the third such gathering since the historic 2023 normalization agreement facilitated by Beijing.

High-Level Diplomatic Engagement

Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi led Iran’s delegation at the summit. Prior to the main meeting, diplomats and technical experts from all three nations participated in a preparatory session on Monday, according to ISNA news agency.

The discussions centered on evaluating the implementation of the Beijing accord, which successfully restored diplomatic relations between Tehran and Riyadh following a seven-year diplomatic rupture. The agreement established commitments to reopen embassies and strengthen political and economic cooperation between the two regional powers.

Joint Statement on Regional Issues

China’s foreign ministry released a statement outlining key consensus points from the meeting. The three nations called for an immediate cessation of Israeli military operations against Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria. They also condemned actions that violate Iran’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The parties expressed their intention to broaden collaboration across multiple sectors, encompassing economic and political spheres. This trilateral mechanism has previously convened in Beijing and Riyadh, with all sides consistently emphasizing principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs. China’s continued role as mediator in facilitating regional dialogue has been welcomed by both Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Intensifying Regional Diplomacy

The Tehran summit occurred amid heightened diplomatic activity in the region. Recent weeks have seen senior officials from both Turkey and Saudi Arabia visiting Tehran for strategic discussions, reflecting broader efforts to address regional tensions through diplomatic channels.

Behind-the-scenes diplomatic exchanges have also intensified. Iran International exclusively reported that the Trump administration responded to a message from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, which was transmitted through Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The US response reiterated three key preconditions for engaging in talks with Tehran: cessation of uranium enrichment activities, ending support for regional armed groups, and imposing limitations on Iran’s ballistic missile program.

Reuters previously disclosed that Pezeshkian’s letter to the crown prince, sent before his late-November Washington visit, indicated that Iran “does not seek confrontation” and remains receptive to diplomatic engagement if its rights are respected.

During that diplomatic trip, US President Donald Trump stated he was “open” to negotiating a new agreement with Tehran. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pledged Saudi Arabia would “do our best to help reach a deal between America and Iran.”

However, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei subsequently dismissed reports of Iranian diplomatic outreach through Riyadh as “pure lies.” It remains uncertain whether Khamenei was fully informed about these communications or if Tehran opted to deny them following the US response.

This trilateral meeting underscores the evolving diplomatic landscape in the Middle East and the increasingly important role of multilateral dialogue in addressing regional challenges.

Original Article:

Iran International. (2025, December 9). Iran hosts trilateral meeting with China and Saudi Arabia. Retrieved from https://www.iranintl.com/en/202512095946