BEIJING: China on Thursday welcomed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the United States and Iran to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, saying the MoU carries positive significance for easing tensions and consolidating ceasefire momentum in the region.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian, at a regular press briefing, said that China hopes that all relevant parties, including the United States and Iran, will uphold the “spirit of contract and implement it in good faith”.
“Force is no solution. Negotiation on an equal footing is the right choice,” Lin said.
The spokesperson hoped that the United States and Iran would both approach the second stage of negotiations with a rational and practical attitude, work in the same direction, and strive for positive outcomes.
Lin added that China has been working tirelessly for the end of fighting and for peace since the outbreak of the conflict, and will continue playing an active and constructive role in bringing about lasting peace and security in the Middle East and Gulf region.
China welcomes the signing of MOU between Iran and the U.S. Hope it will be implemented by both sides in good faith.
For peace to prevail, the actions of parties concerned, including Israel, should be conducive to the MOU’s implementation and the next phase of negotiations.… pic.twitter.com/0FNSEf591Z
— CHINA MFA Spokesperson 中国外交部发言人 (@MFA_China) June 18, 2026
On Thursday morning, US President Donald Trump, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian and mediator Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signed the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.
Trump put his signature to the memorandum of understanding during a candlelit dinner at the Palace of Versailles following a G7 summit.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said the document “was finalised with the signatures of the presidents.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sharif signed the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in his capacity as mediator, formally sealing a historic peace agreement between Iran and the United States.
Prime Minister Sharif said on X that it “shall enter into force with immediate effect.”
“As a first step, the Islamic Republic of Iran will instantly reopen the Strait of Hormuz and the United States of America will immediately lift the naval blockade,” Sharif wrote.
Once a final agreement is reached on the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program, the United States will facilitate the release of a $300 billion reconstruction fund supported by regional nations, the deal says.
Following the peace deal, direct talks between the US and Iran are scheduled to take place in Switzerland on Friday, the Swiss government said on Thursday.
In a statement, the Swiss foreign ministry said that, as things stand, the plan remains for the United States and Iran, along with mediators Pakistan and Qatar, to meet on Friday at Buergenstock for initial talks on implementing the peace agreement.
“Currently, the plan remains for the United States and Iran, along with the mediators Pakistan and Qatar, to meet tomorrow at the Burgenstock for initial negotiations on the implementation of the agreement,” the Swiss foreign ministry said.
