China ‘actively committed’ to Iran talks with tensions rising

The timing is notable because it comes a day before U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is set to unveil a plan designed to shift the conflict from tit-for-tat strikes across the Middle East to full-blown economic isolation. From left, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi speak the press after meeting in Beijing in March 2025. (Lintao Zhang, Pool photo via Getty Images/TNS) (Tribune News Service) — China said it continues to support a diplomatic end to the U.S.- Iran war, in a delayed statement released shortly before the U.S. is set to unveil measures to punish Tehran’s economic partners.

“China is closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East and is actively committed to promoting peace talks,” Vice Foreign Minister Miao Deyu said at talks with Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi in Beijing on Aug. 17, according to a statement published Sunday. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs didn’t previously disclose the meeting and provided no explanation for the time lag in making it public almost a week later. Earlier this week, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Iran and its trading partners after months of military strikes and a maritime blockade failed to force Tehran to capitulate. China buys the bulk of Iran’s oil and was its