Chinese FM's remarks to Dar on Iran war 'misrepresented', call held with cordiality: FO

The Foreign Office on Thursday said media reports “misrepresented” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s recent remarks to Deputy Prime Minister and FM Ishaq Dar, affirming the call was held with cordiality.

The clarification comes after Chinese state media Xinhua reported that during his call with Dar on Tuesday, Wang expressed hope that “Pakistan can step up mediation efforts” between the United States and Iran.

Addressing a weekly press briefing, FO spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said: “Some reports suggested that the Chinese side urged us to enhance the mediation efforts, implying as if Pakistan was being asked to sort in a ‘do more’ paradigm. So news coverage by some of local newspapers conveyed the same impression.

“I wish to place on record that such reports somewhat misrepresent the call in both letter and spirit,” he added, asserting that the call was held with “traditional warmth and cordiality”.

Andrabi said FM Wang appreciated “Pakistan’s constructive mediation role and expressed full support for its efforts”, echoing what was reported by Xinhua as well.

“Wang reiterated China’s principled position and commended Pakistan for facilitating US-Iran talks and helping extend the temporary ceasefire. He expressed hope that Pakistan will maintain confidence and contribute to restoring regional peace at an early date, which is also the common aspiration of the international community,” the report read.

China will continue to support Pakistan’s mediation efforts and make its own contribution toward this end, Wang was quoted as saying.

In its statement on the call, the FO had also said Wang reiterated Beijing’s appreciation and support for Pakistan’s role as a mediator.

It added that both top diplomats “underscored the importance of continuing a durable ceasefire and ensuring normal passage through the Strait of Hormuz”.

Despite signs that negotiations between the US and Iran have stalled after President Donald Trump rejected Tehran’s latest response to a proposed settlement framework, Pakistan has remained engaged in mediation efforts.

A series of diplomatic contacts made earlier this week suggested that regional and international actors are still attempting to prevent the situation from sliding back toward open hostilities.

Even as military pressure and fears of renewed confrontation continued to shape the crisis, Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement has persisted despite a far more complicated scenario.

On Monday, US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker met with Dar to discuss the evolving regional situation. The same day, Dar spoke with Saudi FM Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on a call, with FO saying that the latter “reiterated support for Islamabad’s efforts aimed at promoting regional peace and stability”.

Also on Monday, United Nations Secretary General’s Personal Envoy for the Middle East Conflict Jean Arnault also met Dar, who briefed him on recent developments and Pakistan’s continuing engagement with the parties concerned.