China and Iran hold talks as ceasefire holds in wider conflict
Chinese and Iranian foreign ministers have met as a tense ceasefire continues to hold in the wider Iran conflict.
The talks come as China is being looked to by both the United States and Iran as a possible channel for de-escalation.
The meeting was reported on 7 May, with no immediate details given on the location or the substance of the discussions.
The row also notes that China is not officially mediating efforts to end the war.
The diplomatic contact matters because it comes at a sensitive moment in the conflict, when the ceasefire remains fragile and outside powers are being assessed for their ability to influence the next phase of talks.
China has also been cited as a major player in global diplomacy.
Beijing has previously played a role in Middle East diplomacy.
In 2023, it helped re-establish diplomatic ties between Riyadh and Tehran.
The current situation leaves open whether China will make a more direct push to stop the fighting, and how much its economic influence could shape negotiations if it does.
