UNITED NATIONS: China’s ambassador to the United Nations said on Saturday that maintaining the ceasefire between the US and Iran and reopening the Strait of Hormuz were “urgent” priorities, adding that the issue could dominate upcoming talks between Washington and Beijing later this month.
“I’m sure if the Hormuz is still closed by the time US President Donald Trump goes to China, this issue will be high on the agenda of the bilateral talks,” Chinese UN Ambassador Fu Cong told reporters.
Fu stressed that the broader relationship between China and the United States extended beyond the immediate crisis.
He said ties between the two countries remained “steady, sound and sustainable” and in the interest of both peoples.
Fu said it was of “crucial importance” that the ceasefire in the US-Israel war on Iran holds, warning against renewed hostilities.
“The most urgent issue is to keep the ceasefire. And the ceasefire needs to last, and there has to be a good-faith negotiation between the two sides,” he said.
He added that the Strait of Hormuz must be reopened as soon as possible, calling on both sides to take reciprocal steps.
“Iran needs to lift its restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz, and the US needs to lift its naval blockade,” Fu said, urging the international community to oppose any return to the war.
He also rejected allegations by some US officials of military cooperation between China and Iran, describing them as “false”.
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Trump unhappy with Iran proposal
The comments come amid diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.
Speaking in Washington on Friday, Trump said he was “not satisfied” with Iran’s latest proposal and warned against a premature end to the war.
“Iran wants to make a deal, but I’m not satisfied with it, so we’ll see what happens,” he said.
Trump warned that any agreement must be durable and indicated that military action could resume if negotiations fail.
“I’m not sure we’re going to get to a deal,” he said, adding that Washington faced a choice between continuing diplomacy or escalating the conflict.
“Do we want to go and just blast the hell out of them… or do we want to try and make a deal?” he said, adding he would prefer a diplomatic solution “on a human basis”.
Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts
The latest Iranian proposal has been conveyed through Pakistan, which is acting as a mediator between Washington and Tehran.
Trump said talks were currently being conducted by phone after he called off a planned visit by US envoys to Pakistan.
“I have great respect for Pakistan and for the Field Marshal (Syed Asim Munir) and the Prime Minister (Shehbaz Sharif),” he said.
Pakistan has played a key role in facilitating dialogue between the US and Iran, including hosting the first high-level contact in decades last month in Islamabad.
However, efforts to convene a second round have faced delays, and officials acknowledge significant differences remain.
Nuclear and Strait of Hormuz issues
The United States has maintained a firm position centred on preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, including demands for a halt to uranium enrichment and the transfer of enriched material.
Washington has also called for the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and an end to Iran’s regional activities.
Iran, for its part, has linked progress to sanctions relief and the lifting of a US naval blockade.
Tehran has indicated willingness to discuss nuclear and maritime issues in parallel but has resisted major upfront concessions and is seeking guarantees against future pressure.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Iran’s latest proposal signals some flexibility.
The report, citing people familiar with the matter, said Tehran is willing to discuss reopening the strait alongside US steps to end attacks and ease the blockade.
The report added that Iran may be ready for talks in Pakistan in the coming days if Washington responds positively.
Strait of Hormuz tensions
Tensions have escalated following Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil and gas shipments, after the outbreak of the US-Israel conflict earlier this year.
In response, the United States imposed a blockade on Iranian ports.
US Central Command said it had redirected vessels to “ensure compliance”.
At a rally in Florida, Trump described US naval operations enforcing the blockade in blunt terms.
“We’re like pirates,” he said, referring to the seizure of vessels and cargo.
“We took over the ship. We took over the cargo… it’s a very profitable business.”
Iran has vowed to maintain pressure on the strait as long as US measures continue, raising concerns over global energy supplies and maritime security.
