On February 22, 2021, Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu had a phone conversation with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi at the latter's request. Both sides mainly exchanged in-depth views on the Iranian nuclear issue.

The two sides stressed that there are both opportunities and challenges in the context of rapidly evolving Iranian nuclear situation. The United States should return to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and lift sanctions on Iran as soon as possible, which holds the key to breaking the current deadlock. Relevant parties should seize the opportunity to push the Iranian nuclear deal back to the right track and the political and diplomatic settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue, so as to uphold peace and stability in the Middle East.