China and Russia's influence clear in the US and Iran ceasefire deal

Experts suggest that China and Russia significantly influenced the recent US-Iran ceasefire deal, and anticipate their continued involvement in future negotiations between Washington and Tehran. The deal, reportedly electronically signed by Donald Trump and US Vice-President JD Vance, has not yet been publicly released.

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The strategic partnership between Iran, China, and Russia, as well as the coordination and interactions among the three countries, will continue with full strength.

The announcement followed intense diplomatic engagement, including a meeting on Saturday where Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi discussed the Memorandum of Understanding with the Russian and Chinese ambassadors in Tehran. Gharibabadi stated that the "strategic partnership" and "coordination" among the three nations would persist.

This meeting was part of ongoing interactions since the conflict began in February. Earlier, Iran's Foreign Minister visited Beijing in May, preceding Donald Trump's state visit. During that visit, Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping reportedly agreed that Iran should not possess nuclear weapons. Russian President Vladimir Putin also visited Beijing shortly after Trump's trip.

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China still depends heavily on oil and gas supplies passing through the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. That's an unchangeable reality.

China's influence extends to its strong support for Pakistan, which has been instrumental in US-Iran negotiations. Beijing hosted Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif last month, with the war being a primary topic. An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson previously acknowledged China's "highly constructive role" in Iran's nuclear negotiations, with Russia playing a similar role at the UN Security Council.

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For a government already anxious about an economic slowdown, China wants this war to end as soon as possible.

Dr. Chen Jei, an associate professor at The University of Western Australia, highlighted China's crucial role in the ceasefire deal, driven by its reliance on oil and gas from the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz. China's desire for a swift end to the conflict stems from concerns about its economic slowdown. Chen noted China's position as a diplomatic bridge between traditional US allies in the Arab world and Iran, positioning Beijing as a unique major power maintaining positive relations with all parties involved in conflicts. He expects Beijing to shape future US-Tehran agreements.

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China had played 'a highly constructive role in all processes related to Iran's nuclear negotiations', and added that Russia had done the same at the UN Security Council.