TEHRAN, Iran: The Iran-China partnership needs no outside approval, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said after Beijing rejected fresh US economic pressure on Tehran.
Ghalibaf welcomed what he called China’s “principled statement” opposing sanctions against Iran in a post on X.
He said the Iran-China comprehensive strategic partnership rested on mutual respect, mutually beneficial cooperation and a shared vision for a multipolar world. “This relationship needs no one’s permission,” Ghalibaf wrote.
China’s Foreign Ministry said sanctions without a basis in international law or a United Nations Security Council mandate would not resolve the dispute.
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The ministry said economic pressure risked increasing tensions and disrupting the global economic and financial system. It called dialogue and negotiations the appropriate path forward.
Beijing also said its cooperation with Iran complied with international law and that China would take necessary steps to protect its rights and interests.
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Ghalibaf’s comments underscored Tehran’s position that relations with Beijing should continue independently of pressure from Washington.
