China-Iran-US diplomatic relations

China has transitioned from maintaining a strategic distance from Iran to actively expanding its role as a diplomatic mediator between Tehran and the United States.

Initially, reports indicated that Beijing was avoiding public displays of closeness with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during international summits, such as the BRICS+ meeting in New Delhi and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Kyrgyzstan. While China remains Iran’s most significant economic partner due to oil acquisitions, the relationship was characterized as asymmetrical and cautious.

However, amid escalating conflict, China has begun coordinating with Pakistan to explore paths for restarting stalled talks between Washington and Tehran. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called for restraint and emphasized the need to keep the Strait of Hormuz open to protect energy supply chains. This diplomatic shift coincides with a scheduled visit by President Xi Jinping to the United States to meet with President Donald Trump, as the U.S. administration weighs decisions regarding potential military actions against the Iranian regime.