In a telephone conversation on Wednesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi exchanged views on recent developments.
During the call, Araqchi briefed the Chinese minister on the details of the Islamabad MoU and expressed hope that Iran and China would be able to make use of the opportunities created by the understanding to expand bilateral relations, particularly in the energy and economic sectors.
Referring to the high level of mutual trust between Iran and China and the strategic importance of bilateral ties, the Iranian foreign minister thanked Beijing for supporting the negotiation process and for backing the memorandum of understanding.
Araqchi also referred to past experiences that have led to deep Iranian distrust toward the United States and stressed that responsibility for the full and proper implementation of the provisions of the memorandum, particularly regarding ending the war on all fronts, rests with Washington.
For his part, Wang Yi welcomed the memorandum and commended the Iranian government and nation for standing firm against pressure and coercive policies. He also praised Iran’s responsible and diplomatic approach in pursuing dialogue and resolving issues.
Emphasizing the need for accurate and full implementation of the memorandum, Wang Yi announced China’s readiness to cooperate in facilitating its implementation, strengthening regional interactions, and helping address ambiguities and existing challenges among regional countries.
The foreign ministers of Iran and China also stressed the necessity of international support for the memorandum and highlighted the responsibility of the United Nations Security Council, as the principal body tasked with maintaining international peace and security, to support effective implementation of and adherence to the agreement.
Reviewing several bilateral issues, both sides further expressed hope that the opportunities created by the memorandum would open a new chapter in relations between Iran and China.
The Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between Iran and the United States was signed in the first minutes of June 18, 2026, by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and US President Donald Trump through a simultaneous digital process without an in-person ceremony.
Iranian officials described the document as a political framework designed to end the imposed US-Israeli war of aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran and create a pathway toward a comprehensive final agreement. The memorandum was finalized after weeks of negotiations and signed in both Persian and English.
The agreement’s first article provides for the immediate and permanent termination of military operations between Iran, the US, and their respective allies across all fronts, including Lebanon, and commits the parties to refrain from future military action or threats of force. The memorandum also stresses respect for Lebanon’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, while negotiations on a final agreement are scheduled to conclude within a maximum period of 60 days and are expected to culminate in a binding United Nations Security Council resolution.
The memorandum establishes a phased economic and maritime mechanism under which Washington undertook to begin lifting restrictions affecting Iran, including measures related to oil exports, banking transactions, insurance, transportation, access to frozen assets, and the removal of the naval blockade according to agreed timelines. In parallel, Iran committed to facilitating secure commercial navigation through the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz and to coordinating future maritime arrangements with Oman and other regional littoral states in accordance with international law.
On the nuclear issue, the memorandum reaffirms Iran’s stated position against pursuing nuclear weapons while opening a negotiation track on enrichment, sanctions relief, and arrangements concerning enriched materials under a mutually agreed mechanism and International Atomic Energy Agency supervision. Pending the final agreement, Iran is to maintain the current status of its nuclear program, while the US is to refrain from imposing new sanctions or deploying additional military forces in the region.
Iranian officials have also emphasized that defense and missile capabilities remain outside the scope of negotiations and that implementation of commitments will proceed on the basis of reciprocal compliance.