China warns next phase of US-Iran talks will be ‘more difficult’

China's top diplomat, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, has warned that the next phase of negotiations between the United States and Iran will be significantly more challenging. Speaking with his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar, Wang Yi indicated that the upcoming talks, which follow Pakistan's mediation efforts, are expected to be tougher than the initial stage.

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It is foreseeable that, compared with the first stage, the second stage of negotiations will be more difficult.

"It is foreseeable that, compared with the first stage, the second stage of negotiations will be more difficult," Wang stated, according to a release from Beijing's foreign ministry. He also emphasized the need for the United Nations Security Council to assume a more prominent role in backing these discussions. Wang described the current consensus as a "new starting point" rather than a final destination, stressing that achieving lasting peace in the Middle East and the Gulf region requires sustained efforts from all parties involved.

China has affirmed its readiness to collaborate with Pakistan, a close ally and Iran's primary trading partner, in promoting regional peace. Pakistani officials have previously acknowledged China's crucial support for their mediation initiatives. During their phone conversation, Wang and Dar reportedly agreed to maintain engagement aimed at the peaceful resolution of outstanding issues, including the critical maritime oil route through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been affected by competing blockades impacting energy markets.

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The current consensus is far from the final destination, rather it is a new starting point.

Both sides recognized the vital importance of the Strait of Hormuz for global economic stability, energy security, and international trade. The conversation underscored the complex geopolitical landscape surrounding the US-Iran relationship and the ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions and secure a lasting peace in a strategically significant region.

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Achieving lasting peace in the Middle East and Gulf region still requires unremitting efforts from all parties.