BEIJING: Pakistan and China have jointly called on the United States, Israel and Iran to cease hostilities and initiate peace talks “as soon as possible” to end the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The call came during a meeting between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Office.
The more than month-long war, which began on February 28, has impacted the wider Middle East and triggered global economic concerns, particularly due to disruptions in oil and gas shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
During the meeting, both sides stressed the need for an “immediate cessation of hostilities” and urged all parties to prevent further escalation while allowing humanitarian assistance to reach affected areas.
The high-level engagement comes as Islamabad intensifies diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions, including hosting a recent quadrilateral meeting with regional partners.
Pakistan and China emphasised that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable path to resolving conflicts, urging all sides to commit to peaceful dispute resolution and refrain from the use or threat of force.
They also called for the protection of civilians and non-military targets, urging adherence to international humanitarian law, and stressed the need to safeguard critical infrastructure, including energy, desalination and nuclear facilities.
Highlighting the importance of maritime security, both countries called for ensuring the safety of ships and crew in the Strait of Hormuz and restoring normal passage for commercial and civilian vessels at the earliest.
The two nations further underscored the importance of multilateralism and reaffirmed support for the United Nations in efforts to achieve lasting peace in the region.
They urged all parties to support the development of a comprehensive peace framework aimed at ensuring long-term stability.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has reportedly indicated willingness to end the military campaign against Iran, even if the Strait of Hormuz remains partially closed, according to media reports.
Earlier, Pakistan hosted a quadrilateral meeting of foreign ministers from regional countries, calling for an immediate and permanent end to the conflict as part of ongoing diplomatic initiatives to reduce tensions in the Middle East.