Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu is set to visit Iran for talks on the country's nuclear program.

Turkey's foreign ministry says Davutoglu will begin a two-day trip Wednesday that will also include discussion of recent developments in Iraq and Syria.

The visit comes amid rising tensions in the region following new economic sanctions imposed by the U.S. against Iran and the possibility of similar actions by European nations.

Tehran has responded by threatening to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz, and warned a U.S. carrier that was previously in the Persian Gulf to stay away.

China on Wednesday criticized the U.S. sanctions, which target financial institutions dealing with Iran's central bank.

China's foreign ministry reiterated the country's opposition to unilateral sanctions, saying the issue of Iran's nuclear program should be resolved through diplomacy.

The United States and its Western allies say Iran is secretly trying to develop nuclear weapons under the guise of its civilian nuclear program. Iran says its nuclear intentions are peaceful.