Lead

Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei holds a “positive” view of relations with China, according to Tehran’s ambassador, who also suggested that China may receive special treatment if Iran introduces fees for ships using the Strait of Hormuz. The comments came as China reiterated its commitment to deepening ties with Iran and welcomed a recent memorandum between Iran and the United States.

Coverage Comparison

The two outlets covering this story approached it from different angles. The South China Morning Post focused on Tehran’s perspective, quoting Iran’s ambassador to China, Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, who spoke at the World Peace Forum in Beijing. The report highlighted the ambassador’s remarks on the continuity of the Khamenei leadership’s China policy and the potential imposition of service fees in the Strait of Hormuz. In contrast, the Russian state news agency TASS reported mainly on the Chinese official response, leading with the remarks of He Wei, deputy chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, who reaffirmed China’s determination to develop relations with Iran. While both reports covered the core story of the new Iranian leadership’s stance toward China, they diverged in emphasis: one centered on the Iranian ambassador’s statements, the other on China’s diplomatic messaging.

Key Claims

  • According to the South China Morning Post, Iran’s ambassador to China, Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, told the World Peace Forum that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei’s view of Iran’s relationship with China, like that of his late father, has been “positive, active and supportive.”
  • The South China Morning Post reported that Fazli suggested Tehran would charge “service fees” for vessels using the Strait of Hormuz but that China may receive “special” treatment because it is a “friendly” nation.
  • The South China Morning Post also reported that Khamenei became supreme leader after his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in an air strike on February 28, the first day of the US-Israeli war on Iran. The same report noted that Tehran has confirmed the younger Khamenei was wounded in the attacks, which also killed his wife and son, but denied reports that he had been disfigured or disabled.
  • TASS reported that He Wei, deputy chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, said at a farewell ceremony with the late supreme leader that China’s determination to develop relations with Iran is “unwavering” and that China is ready to work with Iran to ensure the stable and long-term development of the comprehensive strategic partnership.
  • TASS quoted He Wei as expressing condolences over the death of Ali Khamenei and hope that under the new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, Tehran will restore security, stability and development as soon as possible.
  • TASS reported that He Wei welcomed the signing of a memorandum between Iran and the United States and hoped that both sides would maintain the ceasefire, advance negotiations, and act rationally and pragmatically. He also said the problem of the Strait of Hormuz must be solved “appropriately.”
  • TASS reported that Iranian leadership congratulated China on the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, thanked Beijing for its continued support, and confirmed readiness to strengthen cooperation. Iran also expressed its desire to resolve the Strait of Hormuz issue in accordance with international law, to eliminate regional tension through political and diplomatic measures, and to strengthen good-neighborly relations with neighboring countries.