During a summit on September 25, U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, amid Iran’s proposition of a seven-day plan to de-escalate tensions and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The discussions were part of broader efforts to stabilize the region, which has been marked by disrupted energy flows and heightened tensions across the Gulf, Yemen, and Lebanon.
President Xi advocated for both the United States and Iran to revert to the June framework that had previously resulted in a temporary ceasefire and to resume negotiations towards a comprehensive peace agreement. While Iran expressed support for this approach, it also promoted its own peace initiative, which Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi outlined. The plan proposes the lifting of the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports, the release of frozen Iranian funds, and the removal of oil sanctions, alongside the cessation of hostilities.
The United States has yet to publicly accept Iran’s proposal, although it acknowledged ongoing constructive discussions through mediators, particularly focusing on nuclear issues. Iran has maintained a firm stance on not making concessions regarding its nuclear program, including uranium enrichment.
In the context of these negotiations, President Trump cautioned President Xi against providing any form of support to Iran, whether direct or indirect. U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue confirmed that China has assured Washington it is not assisting Iran.
The conflict in the Middle East has prompted countries like Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey to consider enhancing military and intelligence cooperation as they navigate the expanding regional security challenges. The situation remains fluid, with multiple international players involved in efforts to mitigate the crisis and restore stability to the affected areas.