China advises Iran to go for talks
• Wang speaks with Dar, endorses Pakistan’s peace efforts
• German minister says he expects direct Washington-Tehran talks in Islamabad
• UN chief and Kuwait crown prince also back de-escalation endeavours
ISLAMABAD: China on Friday endorsed Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to defuse tensions between the United States and Iran, urging Tehran to engage in negotiations, as Germany’s foreign minister indicated that direct talks between the two sides in Islamabad were imminent.
Kuwait and the United Nations secretary general also separately endorsed Pakistan’s intermediary role.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in a call with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s unremitting efforts to de-escalate the situation and reaffirmed China’s support for Islamabad’s continued role as a mediator, according to an official readout.
Mr Dar, who initiated the call as Islamabad pushed to advance dialogue and position itself as a venue for talks, later said that Mr Wang had conveyed Beijing’s “appreciation and support to Pakistan for its ongoing efforts”, adding that both sides agreed to continue working for “the resolution of all disputes through dialogue and diplomacy”.
The endorsement came as Pakistan intensified its role as a diplomatic bridge, relaying messages between Washington and Tehran and offering Islamabad as a neutral venue for potential negotiations.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, while speaking to public broadcaster Deutschlandfunk ahead of the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting, said preparations for direct US-Iran talks were underway and that such a meeting was “expected to take place in Pakistan very soon”.
Mr Wang, in his conversation with Mr Dar, stressed that diplomacy remained the only viable path forward.
“Initiating peace talks is no easy task, but only through negotiations can further casualties and losses be avoided,” he said, adding that the process of dialogue would help prevent the expansion of the conflict and restore normal navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. According to the Chinese account, Beijing has also conveyed to Tehran its support for Pakistan’s de-escalatory role and encouraged Iran to engage in dialogue.
Mr Dar underscored that the current moment was critical for restarting negotiations and called on the international community to encourage both Washington and Tehran to return to the table.
He said Pakistan and China shared “the same goals and positions” and expressed hope that the two countries would work together “to play a constructive role in persuading the parties to end the conflict”.
Mr Wang shared his assessment that the present moment offered a window for diplomatic resolution, noting that prevailing regional and international dynamics were conducive to renewed negotiations.
Central intermediary
Pakistan has emerged as a central intermediary in recent days, facilitating indirect exchanges between the US and Iran, including the transmission of a 15-point US proposal.
Islamabad has also publicly offered to host talks, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stating earlier this week that Pakistan stood ready to host a meeting if both sides agreed.
Officials say the effort reflects Pakistan’s attempt to leverage its ties with both Washington and Tehran to create an opening for dialogue.
During the call, Mr Dar and Mr Wang reviewed the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East and agreed on the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities, the protection of civilians, and the safeguarding of key maritime routes.
Both sides emphasised adherence to the UN Charter and agreed to maintain close coordination to advance diplomatic solutions.
Mr Wang reiterated China’s opposition to escalatory actions and said Beijing would continue to play a constructive role in promoting regional stability.
China has consistently called for an immediate halt to military operations and a return to negotiations, while avoiding direct involvement in the conflict, reflecting its broader emphasis on stability, energy security and diplomatic balancing.
As part of the same diplomatic push, Mr Dar also spoke with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, with both sides stressing the importance of dialogue, restraint and collective efforts to promote peace and stability.
In a separate call, Mr Dar discussed the situation with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to diplomacy as “the only viable path to sustainable peace”.
Mr Guterres expressed support for Pakistan’s efforts.
Meanwhile, PM Shehbaz received a call from Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al Khaled Al Hamad Al Sabah, who endorsed Pakistan’s mediation efforts and expressed appreciation for its role in seeking to end the conflict.
The premier reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to playing a constructive role in restoring peace and stability in the region. Despite the flurry of diplomatic activity, contacts between Washington and Tehran remain limited to indirect message exchanges, with no formal negotiations announced. Still, officials say the convergence of international support for dialogue has created a narrow window for potential talks in the coming days.
Published in Dawn, March 28th, 2026