Demonstrating the continued upward momentum in relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, since China facilitated their resumption of relations on March 10, 2023, as well as the continuing role played by China to encourage the building of a united front among the countries of the region to address their common challenges, the third meeting of the China-Iran-Saudi Arabia Trilateral Joint Committee was held in the Iranian capital Tehran on December 9.
The meeting was chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran Majid Takht Ravanchi, with the participation of the Chinese delegation headed by Vice Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China Miao Deyu and the Saudi Arabian delegation headed by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Eng. Waleed bin Abdulkarim Al-Khuraiji.
A joint statement issued by the three countries said that Iran and Saudi Arabia reaffirmed their commitment to all provisions of the Beijing Agreement, and pledged continued adherence to the United Nations Charter, the Charter of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and international law, and their efforts to consolidate good-neighbourly and friendly relations between the two countries on the basis of respecting national sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence and security. Iran and Saudi Arabia welcomed the continued positive role of China and held that China’s support and follow-up to the implementation of the Beijing Agreement is of great importance.
The three countries welcomed the continuous progress in Iran-Saudi Arabia relations, which provides opportunities for direct exchanges between Iran and Saudi Arabia at all levels and across all sectors. The current escalation of regional tensions poses a threat to both regional and global security. Against this backdrop, it is very important for senior officials from Iran and Saudi Arabia to engage in contacts, meetings, and mutual visits. The participating parties welcomed the progress made in consular cooperation between Iran and Saudi Arabia, which enabled more than 85,000 Iranian pilgrims to perform Hajj, and more than 210,000 Iranian pilgrims to perform Umrah rituals with ease and security in 2025.
They also called for an immediate end to Israel’s actions that infringe upon Palestine, Lebanon and Syria, and condemned the infringement on Iran’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Iranian side appreciated China and Saudi Arabia for taking a clear stance on the aforementioned acts of aggression. The three countries also reaffirmed their support for a comprehensive political solution to the Yemeni issue in accordance with internationally recognised principles under the auspices of the United Nations.
The previous day, Vice Foreign Minister Miao Deyu met with Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi.
Miao Deyu said that in 2026, the two countries will celebrate the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership. China is ready to take this opportunity, together with Iran, to further implement the important common understandings reached by the two heads of state and promote greater development of the China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership. China looks forward to working with Iran and Saudi Arabia to ensure the success of the upcoming meeting of the joint committee, injecting more positive factors into regional peace, stability and development.
Majid Takht Ravanchi said that China is an important comprehensive strategic partner of Iran. Iran appreciates China’s positive and constructive role in safeguarding regional peace and stability and is willing to work with China and Saudi Arabia to maintain and develop the Trilateral Joint Committee mechanism and make new strides in trilateral cooperation.
The Tehran Times reported that, meeting the two countries’ delegations, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi that his country is working toward a “strong region” free from the “destabilising interference” of certain external powers. He emphasised that enduring peace and security in West Asia depend on collective cooperation among regional countries. He also commended China’s “constructive role” in West Asian affairs and reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to strengthening ties with its neighbours – including Saudi Arabia – under its good-neighbourliness policy and further highlighted China’s role in promoting global peace and stability, advancing multilateralism and the rule of law, and supporting cooperation among developing nations, describing these contributions as “highly significant.”
The following articles were originally published on the website of the Chinese Foreign Ministry and by Tehran Times. An additional report carried by Tehran Times may be read here.
Joint Press Release of the Third Meeting of the China-Iran-Saudi Arabia Trilateral Joint Committee
December 9 (MFA) – The third meeting of the China-Iran-Saudi Arabia Trilateral Joint Committee was held in Tehran on December 9, 2025, to follow up on the implementation of the Beijing Agreement. The meeting was chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran Majid Takht Ravanchi, with the participation of the Chinese delegation headed by Vice Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China Miao Deyu and the Saudi Arabian delegation headed by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Eng. Waleed bin Abdulkarim Al-Khuraiji.
Iran and Saudi Arabia reaffirmed their commitment to all provisions of the Beijing Agreement, and pledged continued adherence to the United Nations Charter, the Charter of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and international law, and their efforts to consolidate good-neighborly and friendly relations between the two countries on the basis of respecting national sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence and security. Iran and Saudi Arabia welcomed the continued positive role of China and held that China’s support and follow-up to the implementation of the Beijing Agreement is of great importance.
China stressed its readiness to continue to support and encourage the steps taken by Iran and Saudi Arabia towards developing their relations in various fields.
The three countries welcomed the continuous progress in Iran-Saudi Arabia relations, which provides opportunities for direct exchanges between Iran and Saudi Arabia at all levels and across all sectors. The current escalation of regional tensions poses a threat to both regional and global security. Against this backdrop, it is very important for senior officials from Iran and Saudi Arabia to engage in contacts, meetings, and mutual visits. The participating parties welcomed the progress made in consular cooperation between Iran and Saudi Arabia, which enabled more than 85,000 Iranian pilgrims to perform Hajj, and more than 210,000 Iranian pilgrims to perform Umrah rituals with ease and security in 2025.
The three countries welcomed the dialogue between Iranian and Saudi Arabian institutions and individuals on cooperation in areas such as joint research, education, media, culture, and think tanks. They expressed satisfaction with the mutual exchange of delegations between Iran and Saudi Arabia to participate in activities in these areas organized by each other.
The three countries looked forward to expanding cooperation in economic, political and other fields, and emphasized the importance of dialogue among regional countries aimed at consolidating security, stability, peace, and economic prosperity.
The three countries called for an immediate end to Israel’s actions that infringe upon Palestine, Lebanon and Syria, and condemned the infringement on Iran’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Iranian side appreciated China and Saudi Arabia for taking a clear stance on the aforementioned acts of aggression.
The three countries reaffirmed their support for a comprehensive political solution to the Yemeni issue in accordance with internationally recognized principles under the auspices of the United Nations.
Vice Foreign Minister Miao Deyu Meets with Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi
December 10 (MFA) – On December 8, 2025, Vice Foreign Minister Miao Deyu met with Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi on the sidelines of the third meeting of the China-Iran-Saudi Arabia Trilateral Joint Committee in Tehran. Chinese Ambassador to Iran Cong Peiwu attended the meeting.
Miao Deyu said that in 2026, the two countries will celebrate the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership. China is ready to take this opportunity, together with Iran, to further implement the important common understandings reached by the two heads of state and promote greater development of the China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership. The Trilateral Joint Committee is an important platform for advancing the development of Iran-Saudi Arabia relations and expanding trilateral cooperation between China, Iran, and Saudi Arabia. China looks forward to working with Iran and Saudi Arabia to ensure the success of the upcoming meeting of the joint committee, injecting more positive factors into regional peace, stability and development.
Majid Takht Ravanchi said that China is an important comprehensive strategic partner of Iran. Iran is willing to jointly celebrate the key milestones in bilateral relations in 2026 with China and bring bilateral cooperation across various fields to a new level. Iran appreciates China’s positive and constructive role in safeguarding regional peace and stability and is willing to work with China and Saudi Arabia to maintain and develop the Trilateral Joint Committee mechanism and make new strides in trilateral cooperation.
The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual concern.
On the same day, Vice Minister Miao Deyu visited the Iran House of Innovation and Technology upon invitation and attended the welcome dinner hosted by Majid Takht Ravanchi for the heads of the Chinese and Saudi Arabian delegations.
Araghchi calls for ‘strong region’ as Tehran hosts high-level China–Saudi consultations
TEHRAN, December 10 (Tehran Times) – Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Tehran is working toward a “strong region” free from the “destabilizing interference” of certain external powers.
Araghchi delivered the remarks in Tehran on Tuesday during talks with senior envoys from China and Saudi Arabia, held after the trio’s third round of trilateral consultations.
The minister emphasized that enduring peace and security in West Asia depend on collective cooperation among regional countries. He also commended China’s “constructive role” in West Asian affairs and reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to strengthening ties with its neighbors — including Saudi Arabia — under its good-neighborliness policy.
Araghchi pointed to the “upward trajectory” in relations between Tehran and Riyadh, noting ongoing high-level exchanges, particularly between the two foreign ministries.
He further highlighted China’s role in promoting global peace and stability, advancing multilateralism and the rule of law, and supporting cooperation among developing nations, describing these contributions as “highly significant.”
Araghchi said both Iran and China are determined to utilize all available channels to deepen their bilateral relationship.
Representing Beijing and Riyadh, China’s Vice Foreign Minister Miao Deyi and Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed al-Kharaii expressed appreciation to Iran for hosting the trilateral talks and affirmed their countries’ willingness to expand cooperation with Tehran “across all sectors.”
The meeting, also attended by Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht-Ravanchi, concluded with the signing of a joint document by the three deputy foreign ministers.
One section of the document highlighted China’s readiness to continue supporting and encouraging steps taken by Iran and Saudi Arabia to strengthen their relations across multiple fields.
Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed in March 2023 — following several days of intensive, China-mediated negotiations — to restore diplomatic ties and reopen embassies after a seven-year rift.
