China has urged Iran and the United States to exercise restraint and return to negotiations as tensions in the Middle East continue to threaten regional stability and international energy supplies.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the appeal during talks with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araqchi, in Beijing on Wednesday.
Wang called on Tehran and Washington to return to the interim peace agreement reached in June and engage in substantive consultations. He also urged the two sides to rebuild their negotiating framework around areas of agreement reached during previous discussions.
A major concern for Beijing is the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy shipments. Wang called on all parties to take effective measures to reopen the waterway as soon as possible, saying its safe operation was important for international energy transport and supply chains.
China also said it did not want the regional conflict to spread further into Yemen and the Red Sea, where continued tensions could create additional risks for shipping and global trade.
Araqchi said Iran remained prepared to defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity and security, but also indicated that Tehran was open to diplomatic solutions that protect the rights of the Iranian people.
The meeting took place as regional tensions remain high and ahead of an expected meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump in Washington next week.
Iran is also an important part of the broader US-China relationship. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said Trump and Xi are expected to discuss Iran and China’s financial links with Tehran, as Washington seeks to restrict Iran’s access to Western financial systems.
China is a major buyer of Iranian oil and has repeatedly called for the restoration of safe and normal navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Beijing has sought to encourage diplomacy while avoiding direct confrontation with Tehran over threats to shipping.
Wang said the latest crisis highlighted weaknesses in the existing security arrangements in the Middle East and argued that the regional security framework needed to be strengthened and reformed.
China’s latest appeal comes as diplomatic efforts continue alongside military tensions, with the reopening of negotiations and the restoration of safe shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remaining key issues for the countries involved.
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