China supports 'active mediation' by Pakistan between US, Iran: FM Wang Yi

China has expressed support for Pakistanrsquos diplomatic efforts to mediate between the United States and Iran amid rising tensions in West Asia with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi saying continued negotiations remain essential for restoring regional stabilitySpeaking to reporters at the United Nations on Tuesday Wang said China welcomed mediation initiatives by Pakistan and other countries as efforts continue to prevent further escalation between Washington and TehranChina calls for continued USIran negotiationsldquoRegarding the current situation the key is the negotiation between the United States and Iran because they are the major parties concernedrdquo Wang saidHe added that China supports ldquoactive mediationrdquo by Pakistan and other nations aimed at easing tensions and encouraging dialogue between the two sidesWangrsquos remarks came during Chinarsquos presidency of the United Nations Security Council for the month of May China hosted a Security Council debate on ldquoUpholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and strengthening the UNcentred international systemrdquoThe Chinese foreign minister also met Antonio Guterres during his visit to the UN headquartersWang Yi meets Pakistan Army chiefWang revealed that he had recently met Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir before travelling to New YorkAccording to Wang Munir briefed him about his recent visit to Iran and ongoing diplomatic engagement related to the conflict involving Iran and the United StatesMunir had concluded a short visit to Iran on Saturday where he held meetings with senior Iranian leaders He later travelled to Beijing to join Shehbaz Sharif for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping during Sharifrsquos fourday official visit to ChinaChina urges ceasefire and diplomatic solutionCommenting on the broader conflict Wang said longstanding geopolitical disputes cannot be resolved quickly and stressed the need for patience and sustained diplomatic engagementldquoEvery step forward in the negotiation brings more hope for peacerdquo he saidChina expressed hope that all parties involved would remain committed to a ceasefire and continue working toward a negotiated settlementWang also indicated that any future agreement between the United States and Iran should ideally receive endorsement from the UN Security Council to strengthen its legitimacy and international authorityUS senator questions Pakistanrsquos roleWangrsquos comments came amid criticism from US Senator Lindsey Graham who questioned Pakistanrsquos role as a mediator in the conflictIn a post on X Graham said Pakistan acting as a mediator between the United States and Iran was ldquomore than problematicrdquo citing Islamabadrsquos historical position on Israel and concerns regarding Iranrsquos military presenceGraham referred to reports claiming Iranian military aircraft had been stationed at Pakistani air bases to avoid possible US airstrikes Pakistan has rejected those reports and described them as misleadingThe senator also pointed to comments made earlier by Pakistan Defence Minister Khwaja Asif regarding the Abraham Accords a series of agreements aimed at normalising relations between Israel and several Arab countriesPakistanrsquos diplomatic role under scrutinyThe latest developments have placed Pakistanrsquos diplomatic positioning under renewed international scrutiny as tensions continue in West AsiaWhile Pakistan has projected itself as a country seeking dialogue and deescalation critics in the United States have raised concerns over its ties with Iran and its stance on Israelrelated issuesAt the same time Chinarsquos public backing of Pakistanrsquos mediation efforts signals Beijingrsquos growing diplomatic involvement in regional security issues involving Iran the United States and the broader Middle EastGlobal attention remains focused on ongoing diplomatic efforts as world powers attempt to prevent further military escalation in the regionWith inputs from PTI