Pakistan, China Push US-Iran Dialogue As Gulf Tensions Escalate

Pakistan and China have jointly called on the United States and Iran to halt renewed hostilities and return to negotiations, as fresh military exchanges threaten to derail the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. The appeal followed a meeting between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Shanghai.

The diplomatic engagement took place on the sidelines of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation gathering, where Pakistan formally joined the new global platform. While the forum focused on technology and international cooperation, the rapidly deteriorating situation in the Gulf dominated part of Dar’s discussions with the Chinese leadership.

According to the official account of the meeting, both sides expressed concern over the worsening conflict and urged all parties to avoid further escalation. Pakistan and China stressed that dialogue remained the only viable path to a wider settlement, particularly because the previous understanding between Washington and Tehran had been achieved after difficult diplomatic efforts.

China’s foreign ministry said both countries wanted the parties involved to immediately stop fighting, remove obstacles to talks and work toward a comprehensive peace agreement. Wang Yi warned that peace was still possible but fragile, saying, “Peace is within reach,” while urging the sides not to let the opportunity disappear.

Dar briefed Wang on Pakistan’s recent diplomatic efforts and thanked Beijing for supporting Islamabad’s role in promoting de-escalation. China, in turn, acknowledged Pakistan’s coordinating and mediating contribution, describing it as important to the progress made under the earlier memorandum between the US and Iran.

The renewed appeal comes after fresh exchanges of fire raised alarm across the Gulf region. Tehran accused Washington of targeting civilian infrastructure, including transport facilities, while Iran claimed retaliatory strikes against US-linked military and infrastructure positions in the region. The worsening situation has also revived fears about maritime security and energy supply routes.

Pakistan’s concerns are especially serious because instability in the Gulf can directly affect its economy, fuel import costs, overseas workers, trade routes and food security. Any prolonged disruption around the Strait of Hormuz could push oil prices higher and place additional pressure on Pakistan’s already sensitive import bill.

The meeting also covered the broader Pakistan-China partnership, including CPEC 2.0, trade, investment, science, technology, the digital economy and artificial intelligence. Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to close coordination on regional and global issues, reflecting the depth of their strategic partnership beyond the immediate crisis.

Dar later said his Shanghai visit had been productive and that discussions with Chinese officials reaffirmed shared priorities in economic cooperation, regional stability and emerging technology. The next diplomatic test will be whether Pakistan and China can help keep communication channels open as the US-Iran conflict enters another dangerous phase.