On Wednesday, China’s Foreign Ministry expressed concern over the escalating violence between Iran and the United States, urging both nations to “adhere to the memorandum of understanding” and “avoid the use of force.”
It’s interesting how China often points fingers at the U.S. for its aggressive stance in global politics. But this time, the Foreign Ministry seemed to take a more balanced approach, asking both Washington and Tehran to respect the current peace agreement. They didn’t just hold the U.S. responsible for the latest tensions; they acknowledged Iran’s role too, which is significant, given their close ties as an ally and major oil supplier.
During a routine briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning mentioned that China is “closely monitoring” the situation regarding Iran and is keen on preventing military escalation.
Mao remarked, “Reigniting the conflict serves no one’s interests. Military solutions won’t address the root issues.” They called for both countries to stick to the Memorandum of Understanding, to engage in dialogue, and to avoid forceful actions.
It’s noteworthy that Mao’s comments didn’t single out the U.S. for the violence, nor did it let Iran off the hook for its actions.
Meanwhile, the Chinese state media outlet Global Times also weighed in on the situation, featuring insights from expert Sun Degang. He expressed concerns that both countries seem trapped in a “pattern of mutual conflict.” He pointed to the importance of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial economic passage that Iran has repeatedly shut down this year, leading to spikes in oil prices. Chinese analysts find it challenging to reconcile Iran’s assertion that it should determine the security and navigation policies in these waters with the U.S.’s desire to maintain its military presence in the Gulf region.
In June, the U.S. and Iran entered into a memorandum aimed at officially concluding a ceasefire that had been in effect since April to address President Donald Trump’s military operation, “Operation Epic Fury,” which began with the elimination of dictator Ali Khamenei and severely weakened Iran’s leadership. This agreement obliges Iran to keep the Strait of Hormuz accessible for international vessels for at least 60 days while allowing time for negotiations to reach a broader peace agreement that would end Iran’s illicit nuclear activities.
However, this week, the validity of that memorandum and the negotiation period came under scrutiny after Iran held an extensive funeral for Ayatollah Khamenei, marked by explicit calls to take action against President Trump. In light of these incidents, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) launched attacks against shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, notably targeting vessels from Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Subsequently, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) retaliated with attacks on Iranian military installations to deter further aggression. Following this, Iran resumed its usual pattern of aggression, with Bahrain and Kuwait reporting attacks on their territories, and the next day, Qatar and Jordan also claimed to have faced missile strikes from Iran.
Frustrated, President Trump told reporters at a NATO summit that the ceasefire with Iran is essentially finished, labeling the Iranian leaders as “cuckoos” and “a bunch of scum.”
He expressed, “Honestly, they’re terrible. We don’t have any respect for them. They’re dangerous, and they won’t get nuclear weapons,” he declared.
Yet, even as he prepared to leave the NATO summit, Trump mentioned that the Iranian government reached out for a resumption of talks and was open to further communication.
“They contacted me recently. They really want an agreement,” he said. “I can’t say if they deserve a deal. I’m just not sure they’ll keep their word. That’s the real question.”
Following Trump’s remarks about renewed negotiations, CENTCOM confirmed it had conducted new airstrikes against Iranian targets late Wednesday.
Although China isn’t directly involved in the conflict, it’s certainly impacted as a key ally of Iran. As one of the top purchasers of Iranian oil, China has advocated for the Iranian regime, despite accusations of human rights abuses and threats to neighboring nations. Beyond Iranian oil, Beijing’s economy heavily relies on trade routes through the Strait of Hormuz. So, during this conflict, China has actually been more demanding of Iran, seeking to get the strait reopened quickly. In May, President Xi Jinping even placed a personal call to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, subtly urging Iran to avoid disrupting global trade.
“President Xi highlighted the need for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire, supporting all efforts to restore peace and dealing with this conflict through political avenues,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry noted. “The Strait of Hormuz should remain open for normal navigation, serving the interests of both regional players and the international community.”
