On 28 February, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Wang Yi noted that China and Iran are comprehensive strategic partners who always support and help each other in times of difficulty, standing side by side. When the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) broke out in China, Iran was the first country to extend its sympathy. With its real actions, Iran has demonstrated the meaning of real friendship and strong solidarity between the two countries and peoples. China will never forget it.

Wang Yi said that the epidemic respects no border. Recently there have been more COVID-19 cases in Iran. China expresses its sympathy with Iran and its condolences to the victims of the epidemic. Our hearts also go to the patients and their families and wish early recovery of all the infected patients. We believe that under the leadership of the Iranian government, the people of Iran will fight in unity against the epidemic and will prevail. At the moment, the Chinese people are ready to stand together with the Iranian people to overcome the current difficulty. China has made an emergency donation of nucleic acid detection kits and medical equipment to Iran. We will continue to help Iran within our capacity in line with the needs of the Iranian side, which will include cooperation in areas such as epidemic prevention and control and medical treatment.

Wang Yi emphasized that both China and Iran are nations with time-honored civilizations. As the Chinese nation is invincible in face of any difficulty, it also holds true for the Iranian people.

Zarif expressed his appreciation that Wang made the phone call to extend China's sympathy and support to Iran. He said that in the process of jointly fighting the epidemic, the friendship between the two countries and peoples will be further deepened and the two peoples will always stand firmly together. Iran admires the positive results that China has achieved in fighting the epidemic and thanks China for its medical supplies and technical support. Iran stands ready to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China and learn from its experience in fighting COVID-19. As Iran has experienced various trials and tribulations, it will undoubtedly be able to triumph over the challenge posed by the epidemic.