Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General Wang Yi on the 6th and said, "We will promptly resolve the issue of opening the Strait of Hormuz." Director General Wang responded, "We highly appreciate Iran's resolve to solve the issue."
According to China Central Television (CCTV), Minister Araghchi signaled his willingness to open the Strait of Hormuz during talks with Director General Wang held that morning in Beijing, saying, "Iran will seek a comprehensive and permanent solution by building consensus through peaceful negotiations."
The two have exchanged views by phone several times since the outbreak of the war, but this is the first time Minister Araghchi has come to China to meet Director General Wang in person.
Minister Araghchi shared with the Chinese side the status of talks with the United States and said, "China is Iran's partner. We expect China to continue to play an active role in ending the conflict and promoting peace through mediation."
Director General Wang said, "The current situation in the Middle East stands at a turning point between war and peace," adding, "An immediate comprehensive cease-fire is urgent. A rekindling of hostilities is by no means desirable." He then stressed the importance of continuing negotiations, saying, "China supports Iran in safeguarding its sovereignty and security and highly appreciates its resolve to pursue a political settlement through diplomatic channels."
On the nuclear issue, he said, "We view positively Iran's pledge to forgo developing nuclear weapons," while adding, "The right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes is legitimate."
Earlier, the United States and Iran agreed to a cease-fire on the 2nd, about a month after the war broke out. But within about a month, armed clashes resumed. In the process, concerns grew over an escalation of hostilities, including a South Korean ship anchored in the Strait of Hormuz suffering an explosion, but U.S. President Donald Trump halted the "Project Freedom" operation a day after it began, saying, "There has been progress toward an agreement with Iran."
Meanwhile, President Trump will visit Beijing on the 14th–15th to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping. Ahead of this, the U.S. side pressed China to "play a constructive role in resolving the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz." As the largest buyer of Iranian crude oil, effectively providing the "war funding pipeline," China, the argument goes, must do its part to resolve the situation. The Chinese side is expected to continue acting as a mediator in the Iran war to consolidate its standing in the international community as a "responsible major power."