China reaffirms backing for Iran’s sovereignty, security, and legitimate rights

China has reiterated its support for Iran’s entitlement to safeguard its sovereignty, security, and national dignity as well as its legitimate rights and interests.
That was announced by Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Miao Deyu in a meeting with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi in the Chinese capital, Beijing.

During the talks, the Chinese diplomat noted that his country closely monitors developments in Iran.
He underlined that China is opposed to unilateral bullying and coercion in international relations and interference in other countries’ internal affairs. He said China is willing to boost engagement and cooperation with all parties, including Iran, so that the principles of the UN Charter as well as fundamental norms ruling international relations would be respected and international justice would prevail.

The Iranian diplomat, in turn, briefed his Chinese counterpart on the developments in Iran as well as issues related to Iran’s nuclear program. Gharibabadi underlined that Tehran remains committed to resolving issues through diplomatic channels and would like to move forward with negotiations based on fairness and justice. He said Iran is opposed to foreign threats and pressure and praises China’s role in maintaining regional and international peace and stability.

The visiting Iranian diplomat also held a separate meeting with Secretary General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Nurlan Yermekbayev. During the talks, the two sides discussed current priorities of the organization for the year 2026 and traded views on the arrangements for a plenary session of the SCO in the fall. They further discussed the implementation of Iran’s initiative in the domains of transportation, economy, energy and other fields. The SCO chief, for his part, said the motto “achieving peace, stability, common development and welfare” proposed by the SCO’s rotating president is of utmost significance.

Two vessels smuggling fuel are seized in the Persian Gulf

The naval forces of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) have seized two vessels carrying smuggled fuel off Farsi Island in the Persian Gulf waters. Over one million liters of contraband fuel were confiscated from the vessels, and the 15 foreign crew members were handed over to judicial authorities to face trial. The vessels had been trafficking in fuel for months before being identified and intercepted following monitoring and intelligence operations by the IRGC.

The seizure comes amid an intensified crackdown by the IRGC on fuel smuggling in southern waters, as authorities report a growing number of cases driven by the widening price gap between Iran’s heavily subsidized domestic fuel and higher prices in neighboring countries.

In December 2025, the IRGC seized a foreign tanker carrying millions of liters of smuggled fuel in the Persian Gulf, detaining its crew and transferring the vessel and its cargo to government ownership.
The tanker was intercepted inside Iran’s territorial waters while transporting around 4 million liters of smuggled fuel.