Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for a comprehensive ceasefire in the Iran conflict during a meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud [1].
The diplomatic push comes as China seeks to maintain momentum behind ongoing U.S.-Iran negotiations in Doha and protect a ceasefire memorandum signed in June 2024 [1, 2].
Meeting in Beijing, Wang Yi expressed support for the Doha talks but cautioned that the path forward would not be easy. "The next phase of US-Iran talks will be more difficult," Wang said [3].
Wang urged all parties to avoid escalation, saying that "force will not bring lasting calm to the Gulf" [1]. He specifically called for a comprehensive ceasefire to address the conflict, which has lasted about two months [2].
The Chinese foreign minister emphasized the need to sustain the current diplomatic momentum to prevent further instability in the region. He noted that the stability of the Gulf is tied to the success of these high-level negotiations [1, 3].
During the discussions, Wang Yi and Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud reviewed the current state of regional tensions and the impact of the ongoing hostilities [1, 2]. China's involvement signals its intention to act as a mediator in the broader geopolitical struggle involving the U.S. and Iran [2].
Wang said, "China calls for a comprehensive cease-fire in the Iran war" [2].
“"The next phase of US-Iran talks will be more difficult."”
China is positioning itself as a critical diplomatic bridge between Western powers and Middle Eastern states. By backing the Doha talks while simultaneously urging a broader cease-fire, Beijing is attempting to project leadership in regional security and reduce the influence of military solutions in the Gulf.
