China urged Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the war with the US and Israel on Wednesday after the Trump administration called for Beijing’s help in the matter.
During their meeting in Beijing, Foreign Minister Wang Yi discussed the need to end the war with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, the Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported.
“China believes that a comprehensive cessation of hostilities should not be delayed, any reigniting of hostilities is even less desirable, and sticking to negotiations is particularly important,” Wang reportedly said.
The diplomatic efforts should also center on the issue of “restoring normal, safe passage” around the Strait of Hormuz, Wang added.
Iranian and Chinese-linked ships continued to sail through the Strait of Hormuz during the height of the war in March until the US launched a full blockade of Tehran’s ports, effectively freezing all traffic along the waterway.
However, Beijing — the largest buyer of Iranian oil and a key ally of Tehran — stopped short of blaming the Islamic Republic for the current energy crisis.
Araghchi agreed with the need to restore peace in the region, but he called Iran’s actions self-defense against US-Israeli aggression.
“Iran, just as it demonstrated strength in defending itself and remains fully prepared to confront any aggression, is also serious and steadfast in the field of diplomacy,” Araghchi told his Chinese counterpart, according to Tehran’s foreign ministry.
It remains to be seen whether Iran will heed China’s advice, but Beijing had previously been credited with pushing Iran to accept the terms of the cease-fire deal secured last month, the New York Times reported.
China’s latest attempt to push Iran to peace comes after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that Beijing should seize on the meeting with Araghchi to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz ahead of President Trump’s summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping next week.
“I hope the Chinese tell him what he needs to be told, and that is that what you are doing in the straits is causing you to be globally isolated,” Rubio said.
“It is in China’s interest that Iran stop closing the strait.”
