China, Pakistan call on US, Iran to cease fire, resume talks

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar in Shanghai Thursday, with both sides calling on the United States and Iran to cease fire and resume talks as soon as possible.

The two sides expressed deep concern over the deterioration of the situation in Iran, calling on parties concerned to immediately cease hostilities, surmount difficulties, remove disruptions, resume contacts and dialogue, and strive to reach a comprehensive peace agreement through negotiations. They also urged the international community to continue lending support to such efforts.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that the first-phase memorandum of understanding (MoU) reached between the United States and Iran did not come easily. It represents the outcome of bilateral negotiations and also owes much to the joint efforts of the international community, with Pakistan playing an indispensable coordinating and mediating role, he added.

Wang said the core provisions of the MoU serve not only the fundamental and long-term interests of the parties concerned but also met the shared expectations of the international community and thus deserved to be cherished and safeguarded with utmost care.

Noting that all parties should honor their commitments and abide by the provisions of the MoU, Wang said that China would, as always, support Pakistan's mediation efforts and continue to play a constructive role in facilitating the de-escalation of the situation in its own way.

Dar gave a briefing on Pakistan's recent efforts and thanked China for its understanding and support. He said Pakistan would forge ahead against difficulties and keep actively promoting peace talks.

(Cover: A woman stands at the water's edge along the Strait of Hormuz as a plume of smoke rises in the background following an explosion, off Bandar Abbas, Iran, July 13, 2026. /VCG)