China Welcomes ‘First-Phase’ U.S.-Iran Pact, Urges Focus on Strait of Hormuz

China’s top diplomat welcomed a preliminary agreement between Iran and the U.S. during a phone call with his Iranian counterpart on Wednesday, positioning Beijing as a central supporter of the nascent peace effort in the Middle East.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who initiated the call, briefed Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on a newly reached "first-phase" memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington. Araghchi expressed deep appreciation for Beijing's proactive role in advancing the negotiations and securing the pact, according to China's state-run Xinhua News Agency.