Pezeshkian Meets Chinese President; Criticizes U.S. Policy of Force and Sanctions in Interview with Chinese Television

According to Rokna, citing the Government Information Center, on Monday, September 2, 2025, at noon local time in Iran, Pezeshkian in parts of an interview with China’s CCTV emphasized that “China, a country of unity, cohesion, and decisive leadership, is rapidly advancing.” He added: “This country has thoroughly scientific, expert, and goal-oriented programs for development. Its political process to distance itself from unilateralism and to pursue multilateralism is a highly positive trend.”

He continued: “If we are to move away from unilateralism, we must, in principle, adhere to the frameworks that were drafted and signed in this summit. The United States and those in power intend to enforce their policies in the region with force and sanctions, and through methods they are well aware of, they seek to prevent other nations from stepping outside the structures they have devised.”

The President stressed: “If we want to move beyond this framework, we must put into practice what we have previously committed to in earlier and future sessions, namely, changing our behavior against unilateralism. This essentially means cooperation, trade, and disregarding their words about sanctions.”

Pezeshkian noted: “We must observe justice, fairness, and law among ourselves and with other nations, and strive to share development across the world. As China has now assumed leadership of such an approach and policy, it is expected to pave the way for these lofty goals.”

He reminded: “If the United States and Israel—who now rely on power rather than logic, bombing whoever opposes them, assassinating political leaders, and targeting ordinary people and scientists—continue down this path, and if the countries seeking to act beyond these imposed frameworks do not join hands, this hegemonic outlook will eventually reach China as well.”

The President stated: “For the United States, China is its greatest rival under the policies it has formulated. It believes it can confront others with force, weapons, threats, or sanctions. If it can gradually separate the countries cooperating with China, then China will remain alone, and at that time the United States will wield its power in ways that will be very difficult to counter in isolation.”

Pezeshkian added: “The slogan advanced by China’s leadership regarding global development, security, and peace must be pursued by all countries seeking peace and security so that, together, they can resist illegal, inhumane, and unjust approaches. If such solidarity is achieved, the goals pursued by China’s leadership, which also speaks of global governance, can take on an operational mechanism that will prevent those undermining world peace from running rampant.”

Meeting with Chinese President

On Tuesday, September 2, 2025, President Masoud Pezeshkian met and held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Pezeshkian had traveled to Tianjin, China, on Sunday, August 31, 2025, to attend the 25th Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). He arrived in Beijing on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, local time.

On the sidelines of the SCO Summit, the Iranian President also met and held discussions with the Presidents of Russia and Tajikistan, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, and the Secretary-General of the United Nations.