Open strait ASAP, China urges Iran

friendly visit

Beijing appreciates commitment of Tehran not to develop nuclear arms, affirms its legit right to peaceful N-energy use: Yi to Aragachi

PTI

Beijing

China on Wednesday called on Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz “as soon as possible” as it appreciated Tehran’s commitment not to develop nuclear weapons, a prime demand of US President Donald Trump to end the war against the Islamic Republic.

“On the issue of the strait, the international community shares a common concern over restoring normal and secure navigation through the strait, and China hopes relevant parties will respond as soon as possible to the strong call from the international community,” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) told his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi in Beijing.

Significantly, Wang appreciated Iran’s commitment not to develop nuclear weapons. Trump has been demanding Iran hand over stockpiles of enriched uranium and a 20-year commitment from Tehran not to develop nuclear weapons.

China appreciates Iran’s not-to-develop-nuclear-weapons commitment, and affirms Iran’s legitimate right to peaceful use of nuclear energy, Wang told Araghchi.

The Iranian foreign minister, who is on his first visit to Beijing after the US-Iran war started, briefed Wang on the ongoing negotiations with Washington to end the war.

“China believes that achieving a comprehensive ceasefire is an urgent priority, while reopening hostilities would be even more undesirable,” Wang said. According to the Chinese foreign ministry, Araghchi said, “Priority can be given to promptly resolving the issue of reopening the strait. Iran will firmly safeguard its national sovereignty and national dignity, while continuing to build consensus through peaceful negotiations and seek a comprehensive and lasting solution.”

Separately, the Iranian and Saudi foreign ministers discussed regional developments over the phone on Wednesday, stressing on the need to continue diplomatic efforts and regional cooperation to avoid renewed tensions, according to the Iranian foreign ministry.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked President Donald Trump for announcing a pause in the operation in the Strait of Hormuz.