Foreign media reported that China's "last-minute pressure" played a decisive role in Iran agreeing to cease-fire talks. The report said Iran, which had stuck to a hard-line response, changed its stance because of China's intervention, driven by fears of an inevitable economic collapse if energy facilities were struck.
The New York Times (NYT), citing three Iranian government officials, reported that Iran accepted a two-week cease-fire proposal put forward by Pakistan. According to the report, with Pakistan stepping in as mediator, China intervened at the last minute and strongly urged Iran to accept the talks. As President Trump threatened that he could strike Iran's energy facilities and key infrastructure, China, worried about the economic fallout, pressed for a flexible response.
China is a major importer of Iranian crude, and it has been concerned that a prolonged instability in the Middle East could disrupt energy supply chains and shock its own economy. In this context of interests, there is an interpretation that China effectively acted as a "last-minute coordinator," prompting Iran's decision.
The NYT also reported, citing Iranian officials, that Mojtaba Khamenei, known as Iran's supreme leader, gave final approval to the cease-fire plan. However, since being declared the successor, the person has not appeared in public, and some foreign media reports have said the person is in a coma.
Earlier, President Trump said on his social media (SNS) Truth Social, in U.S. Eastern time that day, "On the condition that Iran agrees to the full, immediate and safe opening of the Strait of Hormuz, I agree to suspend bombings and attacks on Iran for two weeks." Afterward, Iran's Supreme National Security Council said in a statement that the United States had fully accepted the 10-point end-of-war plan proposed by Iran, but the U.S. side denied that the claim was true. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a separate statement, "If the attacks on Iran stop, we will also stop our attacks," adding, "In consultation with the military, we can ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz for two weeks."