Iran will only accept "a fair and comprehensive agreement" in its negotiations with the US on ending the war in the Middle East, Tehran’s foreign minister said.
"We will do our best to protect our legitimate rights and interests in the negotiations," Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in Beijing after a meeting with China's top diplomat Wang Yi, Iranian media reported.
"We only accept a fair and comprehensive agreement."
US President Donald Trump earlier said that he was halting the US military initiative to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz after just one day, in a bid to reach a deal with Iran to end the Middle East war.
Citing requests from Pakistan and other countries, as well as progress towards a final agreement with Tehran, Trump announced the latest decision but insisted the naval blockade would remain fully in effect.
"We have mutually agreed that, while the Blockade will remain in full force and effect, Project Freedom… will be paused for a short period of time to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalized and signed," Trump wrote on social media.
Araghchi did not directly address Trump's offer as an incentive to help reach an agreement between the two sides.
Araghchi's trip comes before US President Trump's scheduled visit to China on May 14-15 to see President Xi Jinping, a trip he delayed after the United States and Israel attacked Iran.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday called on China to put pressure on Araghchi to loosen Tehran's chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of the world's oil once transited.
"I hope the Chinese tell (Araghchi) what he needs to be told, and that is that what you were doing in the straits is causing you to be globally isolated," Rubio told reporters.
Wang Yi instead described the US and Israeli attacks against Iran as “illegitimate” during his meeting with his Iranian counterpart, according to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency.
The Chinese foreign minister also told his Iranian counterpart that China was “deeply distressed” over the war that has lasted more than two months and said a “comprehensive ceasefire" was needed.
“We believe that a comprehensive ceasefire is urgently needed, that a resumption of hostilities is not acceptable, and that it is particularly important to remain committed to dialogue and negotiations,” Wang said, according to a video of the meeting.
