China’sWangYiUrgesPeaceTalksinCallWithIranianForeignMinister

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for the immediate launch of peace talks to address the escalating Middle East conflict, telling Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, in a phone call on Tuesday that “talking is always better than fighting.”

The call, initiated at Iran’s request, came as Araghchi briefed Wang on the latest regional developments, according to China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency.

During the call, Araghchi said Iran is committed to a “comprehensive ceasefire” rather than “a temporary truce.” He said the Strait of Hormuz remains open to ships transiting safely, but added that countries “currently engaged in combat” were “not under consideration,” according to Xinhua.

Araghchi thanked China for providing emergency humanitarian assistance and urged parties to take steps to ease tensions rather than deepen the conflict. He said he hoped China would continue to play a constructive role in advancing peace and ending the war.

Wang reiterated China’s position that flashpoints should be resolved through dialogue and negotiation, not force — an approach he said serves Iran’s interests and reflects the broader international community’s desire for peace.

He urged all parties to “seize every opportunity and window for peace” and begin talks as soon as possible, Xinhua reported. Wang said China would maintain an “objective and fair” stance, oppose violations of other countries’ sovereignty, and work to promote regional peace and stability.