China Requests Pakistan’s Mediation in U.S.-Iran Tensions Amid Urgency Over Hormuz Blockade

Pakistan Engages with Iranian Minister of Interior
Attempts to Restart U.S.-Iran Talks

As tensions between the United States and Iran intensify, China has reportedly reached out directly to Pakistan to request mediation.

According to Reuters on July 24 (local time), China requested new mediation efforts to ease U.S.-Iran tensions when Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, visited Shanghai on July 16.

A Pakistani official told Reuters, "Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on other Gulf countries also harm China’s interests," adding, "China is currently quite dissatisfied with the situation."

Subsequently, China and Pakistan issued a joint statement urging an immediate ceasefire between the United States and Iran, as well as a resumption of negotiations.

Pakistan then reportedly attempted to restart stalled U.S.-Iran talks during a meeting this week with Iskandar Momeni, Iran’s Minister of Interior, who visited Pakistan.

The Pakistani official stated, "For talks to resume, Iran must first cease attacks on Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries," and said that this message had been conveyed to Iran.

As the world’s largest oil importer and a major exporter, China seeks to maintain stability in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping corridor for world trade.

However, with the prolonged conflict between the United States and Iran, both sides have effectively reverted to the situation prior to the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on ending hostilities, leaving navigation through the Strait of Hormuz in a state of persistent uncertainty.

In particular, recent clashes between the Houthi rebels in Yemen, who are backed by Iran, and Saudi Arabia have raised concerns that even the Red Sea—a key alternative route to the Strait of Hormuz—could be blocked.

The Yemeni Houthi rebels have declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia. If, like Iran, the Houthis close the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait at the entrance to the Red Sea, not only Saudi Arabia but also China could be affected.

China has also directly urged Iran to implement the MOU on ending hostilities and resume negotiations.

Wang Yi, Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs of the Communist Party of China and Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Kyrgyzstan and stated, "China is deeply concerned about renewed tensions and deterioration of the situation in the Middle East Gulf region."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.