Xi Receives Pakistani PM Amid Potential US-Iran Deal Progress

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Beijing on Monday, May 25, 2026, a meeting occurring as potential breakthroughs are reported in indirect negotiations between the United States and Iran. Sharif's visit highlights Pakistan's growing role as a mediator in international affairs, a position that Beijing publicly endorses.

While details of the conversations between Xi and Sharif have not yet been released by Chinese state media, the timing of the meeting is significant. In recent weeks, Pakistani officials have served as a channel for communication between Washington and Tehran. China has consistently voiced its support for Islamabad's "just and balanced" mediation efforts.

Beijing views Pakistan's active role as instrumental in achieving a "proper resolution" concerning the Strait of Hormuz. This strategic waterway is critical for China, as approximately 45% of its oil and gas imports transit through it. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has previously commended Pakistan's efforts to facilitate dialogue between Iran and the U.S., urging Islamabad to intensify its initiatives for de-escalation.

Reports from outlets like Axios and The New York Times suggest that the U.S. and Iran are nearing an agreement. This potential deal could involve reopening the Strait of Hormuz, lifting sanctions on Iran, unblocking Iranian funds, and extending a temporary truce for 60 days to negotiate a broader nuclear pact. Tehran, however, has remained officially non-committal on these reports.

Pakistan has indicated its readiness to host further rounds of negotiations between Washington and Tehran in Islamabad soon, following an initial attempt that did not yield results in April. This diplomatic engagement underscores the complex geopolitical landscape surrounding Iran's nuclear program and regional stability.