China Aids Pakistan in Brokering US-Iran Ceasefire

A fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran took hold this week, averting further escalation in the Middle East conflict that began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on February 28. Pakistan brokered the temporary truce, but officials and diplomats indicated that China played a key behind-the-scenes role in persuading Tehran to agree, leveraging its position as Iran's largest oil trading partner.

The agreement came amid heightened tensions over Iran's control of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which about one-fifth of the world's crude oil passes. Iran had restricted access to the strait since the conflict erupted, disrupting global energy supplies and shipping routes. Three diplomats familiar with the discussions confirmed that Beijing urged Iranian officials to return to negotiations, including efforts to discourage further strikes. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made 26 phone calls to representatives from countries including Russia, Saudi Arabia, Germany, and Iran to promote de-escalation. At the United Nations Security Council, China joined Russia in vetoing a resolution that would have encouraged coordinated defensive actions to reopen the strait,...