China, Pakistan step up peace efforts as Iran conflict drags on

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Beijing, as international diplomatic efforts aimed at formally ending the Iran war continued amid ongoing regional tensions.

The high-level meeting followed earlier talks between Sharif and Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Asharq Al-Awsat reports.

Sharif was accompanied during the visit by Asim Munir, Pakistan’s army chief, who has emerged as a key intermediary in mediation efforts between the United States and Iran, according to Pakistani television reports.

Chinese state media did not immediately release details of the discussions.

Pakistan has increasingly positioned itself as a central mediator between Washington and Tehran, hosting rare direct negotiations between US and Iranian officials last month. Those talks, however, failed to produce a lasting agreement.

Meanwhile, China has maintained a more discreet diplomatic role, facilitating telephone calls and meetings with officials from Gulf states affected by the conflict.

Speaking alongside Munir during meetings with Chinese leaders in Beijing, Sharif described the current global situation as highly sensitive.

“The world is passing through a critical moment,” Sharif said, according to Pakistan’s state-run Pakistan Television Corporation.

“Pakistan has played a sincere role to mediate between US and Iran. Field marshal was in Tehran and did not want to miss this great visit,” he added.

“Things are moving in the right direction. I would like to thank China’s support to promote peace.”

Sharif began his four-day official visit to China on May 22 in Hangzhou.

The visit followed Munir’s trip to Tehran alongside Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi as part of continuing diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the conflict.

China has stated that it will work with Pakistan to “make positive contributions to the early restoration of peace and stability in the Middle East.”

Earlier negotiations hosted by Pakistan marked the first direct talks between US and Iranian officials since the war began, though the discussions ultimately collapsed after Iran accused Washington of making “excessive demands.”

By Vafa Guliyeva