Pakistan and China urge US and Iran to resume dialogue and end escalating conflict

Pakistan and China have jointly called on the United States and Iran to immediately stop military action and return to diplomatic negotiations as tensions in the Middle East continue to rise. The appeal came after Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Shanghai, where both leaders expressed concern over the worsening regional situation and emphasized the need for peaceful dialogue.

According to a statement issued by China’s Foreign Ministry, the two sides urged all parties involved in the conflict to end hostilities without delay and resume negotiations. They stressed that diplomacy remains the only effective path to achieving lasting peace and preventing further instability in the region.

During the meeting, Wang Yi described previous diplomatic efforts as the result of difficult negotiations and warned against allowing recent violence to undo the progress already made. He said peace was within reach and urged all sides to avoid actions that could destroy the gains achieved through months of dialogue.

Ishaq Dar was in Shanghai to attend the World Artificial Intelligence Conference, where he also held discussions with Chinese officials on bilateral cooperation and regional developments. Alongside the security situation in the Middle East, the two foreign ministers reviewed the overall state of relations between Pakistan and China and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their long standing strategic partnership.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office said both leaders expressed satisfaction over the continued growth of bilateral ties and agreed to further expand cooperation in several important sectors. They highlighted the importance of advancing the second phase of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, commonly known as CPEC 2.0, which aims to promote high quality development and strengthen economic links between the two countries.

The two sides also agreed to deepen collaboration in trade, investment, science and technology, the digital economy and artificial intelligence. Officials said these areas will play a key role in supporting future economic growth and innovation while creating new opportunities for cooperation between Islamabad and Beijing.

The meeting also included discussions on major regional and international issues. Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining close communication and continuing consultations on matters of shared interest. They also agreed to strengthen coordination at international organizations and multilateral forums where both countries regularly work together on global issues.

The renewed appeal for peace comes as tensions between the United States and Iran have intensified once again. Iran announced that it had launched new attacks on American military facilities in the Gulf after several consecutive days of US strikes targeting Iranian military positions. The exchange of attacks has raised fears of a wider conflict and increased uncertainty across the region.

The latest fighting has also cast doubt on the future of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding signed on June 18, which aimed to restore stability in the Strait of Hormuz and create conditions for continued negotiations between the two sides. The agreement had offered hope for reducing tensions, but the recent escalation has placed those efforts under significant pressure.

Pakistan has repeatedly expressed concern over the return of violence and has called on all parties to exercise restraint. Islamabad has urged both the United States and Iran to avoid further military action that could threaten regional peace and security. Pakistan remains one of the countries involved in diplomatic efforts to encourage dialogue between the two sides.

Earlier this year, Pakistan and China also introduced a five point initiative aimed at promoting peace and stability in the Gulf and the wider Middle East. The proposal reflected their shared belief that dialogue, cooperation and diplomacy remain the most effective ways to resolve conflicts and maintain regional security. Friday’s meeting in Shanghai reinforced that position and highlighted the commitment of both countries to supporting peaceful solutions while expanding cooperation in economic development and emerging technologies.