China will continue to strengthen strategic cooperation with Iran and safeguard the common interests of both sides, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks during a meeting with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy Mehdi Safari on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs meeting in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan.

Expressing his condolences over the deaths of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Wang said China stands with Iran and believes that under the leadership of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the Iranian government and people will unswervingly advance the established strategy and maintain the country's stability and development.

Wang said China will continue to work with Iran to safeguard the common interests of both sides and contribute to regional and global peace.

Appreciating China's firm support of Iran, Safari said Iran's domestic and foreign policies will not change and the country will continue to advance its development process under the leadership of the supreme leader.

He said Iran attaches great importance to its relations with China and is committed to strengthening bilateral cooperation in various fields, such as politics, economy and culture.

Safari thanked China for promoting the reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran and vowed to continue the relevant process to improve relations with regional countries.