Tazeen Akhtar | Islamabad
Iran is moving forward with her point of view on the overall conflict in the Middle East and specifically on the US blockade at Strait of Hormuz securing support from the region and from main partners including Russia and China. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqshi’s ongoing visit to Beijing after a meeting with President Putin in Saint Petersburg is in the same connection. Therefore it can be expected that some final solution may come out after the Xi Trump summit next week.
Araqchi met counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing a week before the visit of President Trump to China on 14-15 May for strategic dialogue with President Xi.
Wang Yi called for Iran and the US to reopen the strait “as soon as possible”, according to a Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement. Araghchi said that while Iran is prepared to defend itself against any mischief, it remains serious and steadfast in the pursuit of diplomacy.
Abbas Araghchi held a telephonic conversation with Saudi counterpart in which he emphasized that while Iran is prepared to defend itself against any mischief, it remains serious and steadfast in the pursuit of diplomacy.
Saudi importance with reference to China is central here because it was China who mediated between Iran and Saudi Arabia in March 2023. FM Wang Yi invited the then foreign ministers to Beijing and on March 10, 2023, Iran and Saudi Arabia signed a surprise, China-brokered agreement to restore diplomatic relations, ending seven years of hostility.
Iran is now more confident for the end of US-Israel invasions and opening of Hormuz without surrender on nuclear on her own terms and conditions when Russia, China are supportive while Saudi Arabia is ready to cooperate for peace and stability in the Gulf region. President Trump has been cornered in this way leaving no option than to wrap up his Mission in the Region that has proved to be Impossible.
In the meeting Wang Yi said ,“China considers that a complete cessation of fighting must be achieved without delay, that it is even more unacceptable to restart hostilities, and that continuing to negotiate remains essential,” the statement added.
Iran had three main points it wanted to get across to Beijing during the meeting: its position on the war, reaffirming its ties with China before Trump’s arrival and securing continued economic and diplomatic support.
The war has also strained relations between Washington and Beijing with the US sanctioning Chinese companies it accuses of buying billions of dollars of Iranian oil. Beijing hit back on Saturday when the Ministry of Commerce ordered Chinese companies not to comply with the sanctions.
Araghchi’s visit to China coincides with Trump’s suspension of a US military operation to escort stranded ships through the Strait of Hormuz. Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform that the pause was based “on the request of Pakistan and other Countries” and because “Great Progress has been made toward a Complete and Final Agreement with Representatives of Iran”.
But, he warned Iran that “bombing starts” again if Iran doesn’t agree to a deal, after he paused on guiding vessels through Strait of Hormuz.
President Trump and his team is watching the developments between Iran, Russia, China and recently Trump said that he knew Pakistan had opened transit for Iran.
Latest position of the parties is that both have exchanged their fresh list of demands / conditions for end of war through Pakistan but no side has shared the details in the media.
Ma Xiaolin, dean at the Institute for International Studies on the Mediterranean Rim at Zhejiang International Studies University, said he believes Iran is looking for China to mediate in the talks with the US.
“Right now, Iran and America are in a very difficult moment. There’s no peace, no negotiation and no war. Both Tehran and Washington need to break through the crisis to make a peace agreement. China is an influential superpower which has good relations with Iran and with America,” he told Al Jazeera.
“In advance of Trump’s visit to China, I think Iran hopes China will do something to push ahead America to change its policy towards Iran, and also Iran will want to enhance its Belt and Road relationship with China, particularly in energy and oil supply,” Ma said, referring to China’s Belt and Road Initiative, an international infrastructure and economic development project.
