Focus – China: The US and Iran should return to the Islamabad Memorandum and resume dialogue

BEIJING, 30 September /ATSH – DPA/ – China called today on the US and Iran to return to the framework of the Islamabad memorandum of understanding (MoU) and resume dialogue.

Reiterating its support for resolving disputes through political and diplomatic means, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said Beijing hopes Iran and the US “will choose peace, re-engage with the Islamabad memorandum of understanding and resume dialogue and negotiations as soon as possible”.

“From the first day of the conflict, China has made active efforts to promote an end to the fighting and peace talks,” he said, adding that Beijing will support a series of initiatives and proposals put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping for peace and stability in the Middle East.

“China will continue to work for the restoration of peace and calm in the Middle East and the Gulf region as soon as possible,” he added.

The US and Israel began the war against Iran on 28 February. Tehran responded with missile and drone attacks across the region and effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic route for energy supplies. The Pentagon imposed its own military blockade of Iranian ports.

Efforts to end the war have continued since an Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding on 18 June that aimed to achieve a final peace agreement on navigation in the strategic waterway, as well as Iran’s nuclear programme.