China and Pakistan Urge US and Iran to Cease Hostilities

Istanbul (ANTARA) - The foreign ministers of China and Pakistan have called on the United States (US) and Iran to immediately cease hostilities and return to dialogue, according to a statement issued by Beijing on Friday. The appeal was made during a meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in Shanghai on Wednesday, as conveyed by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the meeting, Wang and Dar expressed concern over the worsening situation and urged all involved parties to immediately halt hostilities, work to overcome obstacles, eliminate disruptions, resume contact, continue dialogue, and strive to reach a comprehensive peace agreement through negotiations. They also assessed that the international community needs to continue providing support for these efforts. Wang praised Pakistan’s mediation role and stated that the first phase of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) reached between the US and Iran in Islamabad was a hard-won result. ‘The core provisions of the memorandum not only align with the fundamental and long-term interests of the parties involved but also meet the shared expectations of the international community,’ Wang said. He added that peace is now within sight and must not be lost or allowed to slip away. ‘China, as always, will support Pakistan’s mediation efforts and will continue to play a constructive role in promoting de-escalation in its own way,’ Wang said. The statement was made as the US and Iran exchanged military strikes over six days amid rising tensions over the Strait of Hormuz.