BEIJING: China on Wednesday urged the United States and Iran to exercise restraint, return to peace negotiations under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and take steps to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
The call was made by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Beijing. Wang noted China is willing to play a constructive role in resolving international disputes, according to China’s Foreign Ministry.
Wang said the continued prolongation of the US-Iran conflict is not in the common interest of the parties concerned and the international community.
Wang called on all parties to refrain from further complicating the situation and resolve issues through dialogue and negotiation.
The Chinese Foreign Minister urged Tehran and Washington to “engage in substantive consultations on issues of mutual concern”.
“We urge all parties to take effective measures to reopen the Strait of Hormuz at an early date, safeguard the smooth and safe operation of international shipping routes, and maintain the stability of international energy transport,” Wang said, according to China’s Foreign Ministry. He also warned against further regional escalation.
Wang also described the Islamabad MoU framework for further talks between Iran and the US as a valuable outcome of mediation efforts, saying that once the door to dialogue had been opened, it should not be closed.
The talks came ahead of a planned meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping later this month.
Trump says US Open to Talks with Iran
On Monday, US President Donald Trump said that the US was open to engaging with Iran on a peace deal.
In a post on his Truth Social network, Trump said Iran wanted to reach a deal quickly and badly.
“The failing Nation of Iran wants to make a deal, quickly and badly. I will determine whether or not the U.S.A. will choose to engage – The concept of which we are open to,” Trump said.
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) September 14, 2026
On Sunday, Trump reiterated that he expected the Iran war to end this year. Trump added that the price of gasoline would “drop like a rock” once the Iran war ended.
“We’ll ultimately get out (of Iran), unless we decide to stay and keep the oil like Venezuela,” Trump said, adding that the US revenue from Venezuela has “paid for the war many times”.
Pakistan stresses dialogue and diplomacy
On Tuesday, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stressed the importance of dialogue and diplomacy for achieving lasting regional peace during a meeting with US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A. Baker.
Pakistan is mediating between the US and Iran in efforts to revive talks under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) framework to permanently end the conflict through diplomacy and dialogue.
Pakistan has been the principal mediator between Iran and the United States after helping secure a ceasefire on April 8 and hosting high-level talks between the two sides in Islamabad on April 12 and 13.
Under the Islamabad MoU, Iran and the United States committed to halt military operations, reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping and negotiate a comprehensive agreement covering Iran’s nuclear programme, US sanctions and a permanent ceasefire within 60 days.
Pakistan and Qatar later co-mediated the first round of high-level talks in Lucerne, Switzerland, on June 21. The meeting was attended by Vance and Ghalibaf.
The Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, signed in June, provides the framework for ending the US-Iran conflict and pursuing a negotiated settlement.
Islamabad has maintained that the MoU remain the basis for reviving diplomacy.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office said on September 2 that the country remained engaged alongside other states in efforts to resolve the crisis.
