Iranian FM visits China: A great hope for peace and end of war I
Dr. Syed Mehboob
Senior Business and Political Analyst
http//: www.thenewslark.com
Email:[email protected]
US Israel war against Iran has jeopardized global peace, created a multifaceted crisis and there is a need for mediation and steps to be taken to restore peace, end the war and resolve problems through dialogue and diplomacy. Pakistan emerged as a global peace promoter and brought Iran and USA at table to have fruitful dialogues to end the war. Differences are huge, war mongers do not want peace but still there is a great hope and recent Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi met in Beijing, China on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. This meeting has been given a great importance by diplomats and analysts and people around wish and pray for the durable peace in the region.
This meeting was very important and Pakistan and China have their wish to convince both Iran and the US to sign a peace deal and end the war. Since Saudi Arabia refused to give its base to US to use against Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz which minimized the chance of war and opened the door of peace talks.
China is the global leader of peace and important player in global power politics therefore it can play significant role to have its influence to end the war.
The visit — and its timing — underscore what analysts say are China’s significant stakes in the US-Iran war, and the role Beijing could play in influencing the direction of the conflict.
Chinese Foreign Minister Mr. Wang Yi urged that China believed that a comprehensive and durable ceasefire brooked no delay, and a resumption of hostilities was inadvisable, and persisting with negotiations was particularly important. The visit came a week before Trump is due to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on May 14 and 15. US secretary of State Mr. Marco Rubio urged China to press Iran to ease its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world’s oil and gas passes.The meeting comes against a backdrop of mounting tensions between Iran and the US Tehran and Washington over the strategic waterway. Iran moved to restrict shipping through the Strait of Hormuz after the war began, while the US imposed its own blockade on Iranian ports following the April ceasefire in an effort to force Tehran to accept Washington’s terms in negotiations. China is also disturbed by the disruption of Gulf energy to East Asia.
The US also feeling an economic downturn, including rising domestic fuel prices ahead of the midterm elections, analysts say the shared interest between the two global powers in reopening the Strait of Hormuz and securing a ceasefire creates space for Beijing to play a crucial diplomatic role in any peace deal. Throughout the conflict, China has tried to balance criticism of the US with calls for regional stability.
During meeting between Abbas Araghchi and Wang Yi, Chinese Foreign Minister condemned US and Israeli military actions against Iran as “ illegitimate” . China has repeatedly framed the conflict as a violation of International law while stopping short of fully endorsing every Iranian move. China has also criticized the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a dangerous escalation that risked returning international politics to “the law of the jungle”.
China has resisted growing US pressure over its economic ties with Iran. US has sanctioned Chinese firms accused of purchasing Iranian oil. Beijing responded by instructing Chinese companies not to comply with the sanctions.
China’s messaging has largely focused on preventing further instability around the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for Chinese energy imports and trade. China tried its best to persuade Iran back to the negotiating table and let the Strait of Hormuz become as open as before.
China remains Iran’s most important economic lifeline after years of US sanctions left Iran deeply dependent on Chinese trade and investment. China buys the vast majority of Iran’s oil exports, often at discounted prices, while Iranian revenues are largely channelized into purchasing Chinese goods and services. That dependence has only deepened since the two countries signed a 25-year strategic partnership agreement in 2021 covering infrastructure, trade and security cooperation. Against that backdrop, analysts say Araghchi’s visit is also aimed at securing diplomatic backing from China at a critical moment in the conflict. The Iranian foreign minister is possibly was in China to seek clarity from Beijing and reassurance that if they do choose to open the strait, China will perhaps continue to support it diplomatically, and continue to support it at the United Nations.
Tehran would likely need Chinese backing at the UN to block any additional sanctions linked to the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian officials are also believed to be seeking reassurances over the position China will take during Xi’s talks with Trump next week. The timing of the visit was significant, with Washington increasingly pressuring Beijing to use its influence over Iran.
China has considered increasing military support for Iran. US intelligence analysts assessed China was weighing whether to provide Iran with advanced radar and air defence systems, although it remains unclear whether any transfers have taken place. Analysts say Iran’s immediate priority is likely securing assurances that China will continue supporting it diplomatically if Iran agrees to scale back its actions in the strait. One of China’s core interests is stability in the region and favourable conditions for an economy that continues to grow faster than many of its Western counterparts. The free movement of goods through the Strait of Hormuz is central to that, as prolonged disruption threatens both China’s economy and wider global markets, as well as energy security.
China sees Iran as an important regional counterweight to US influence in the Middle East and does not want to see the Iranian government weakened significantly. Iran also provides strategic benefits for China beyond energy. Tehran has increasingly promoted the use of the Chinese yuan in oil transactions, supporting Beijing’s broader efforts to expand the currency’s international role amid US dollar hegemony. Analysts say China may also view the crisis as an opportunity to strengthen its image as a global diplomatic power capable of brokering agreements beyond East Asia. Pakistan has already called on Beijing to play a larger mediation role in regional tensions, China is viewed as a credible actor capable of helping stabilize US-Iran talks.
A successful diplomatic intervention would also give China greater influence among Gulf energy producers such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, while easing pressure on energy-importing countries across Asia.
The US and allied Gulf states have drafted a UN resolution aimed at guaranteeing safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, The draft reportedly calls on Iran to halt attacks on shipping, remove sea mines and stop charging transit fees. The proposal has been revised in recent days in an effort to secure support from both Russia and China. It would be a tremendous opportunity for China to be the broker in all of this.
Public opinion from all sides has noted that "trust" is a key word in this dialogue. Araghchi emphasized that Iran highly appreciates and endorses the four-point proposal put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping on promoting regional peace and stability in the Middle East, stating that "Iran places its trust in China." This trust also reflects the international community's broad recognition of and response to China's four-point proposal and its positive role. (Continued )
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