China on Tuesday urged Pakistan to intensify its diplomatic mediation efforts in facilitating dialogue between Iran and the United States, as tensions around the Strait of Hormuz continue to raise economic concerns.
Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi conveyed the message during a phone conversation with Pakistani deputy PM and foreign minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, according to the Xinhua News Agency, as cited by ANI.
During the call, Wang "reiterated China's principled position and commended Pakistan for facilitating US-Iran talks and helping extend the temporary ceasefire."
Wang further "expressed hope that Pakistan will maintain confidence and contribute to restoring regional peace at an early date, which is also the common aspiration of the international community." He also said, "China will continue to support Pakistan's mediation efforts and make its own contribution toward this end."
During the discussion, Dar briefed Wang on Pakistan's recent diplomatic engagements between Tehran and Washington and expressed gratitude for China's support. Dar said Pakistan hopes to strengthen coordination with Beijing to play a constructive role in regional stability.
Meanwhile, scrutiny has grown over Pakistan’s mediation role amid conflicting claims about its handling of Iranian military assets during the conflict. US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham criticised Pakistan’s involvement, saying he does not "trust" Pakistan and called for an alternative mediator.
"I don't trust Pakistan as far as I can throw them. If they actually do have Iranian aircraft parked in Pakistan bases to protect Iranian military assets, that tells me we should be looking maybe for somebody else to mediate. No wonder this damn thing is going nowhere," Senator Graham said.
Earlier, Pakistan confirmed that it had allowed Iranian military aircraft to use its strategic airbases during the recent conflict between the US and Iran, reported ANI.
However, Pakistan’s ministry of foreign affairs stated that it "categorically reject" reports claiming Iranian aircraft were present at Nur Khan Airbase, while also saying, "The Iranian aircraft currently parked in Pakistan arrived during the ceasefire period and bears no linkage whatsoever to any military contingency or preservation arrangement."
The statement came after reports by CBS News, which, citing US officials, claimed that Pakistan had quietly allowed Iranian military aircraft to use its airfields, raising questions about its mediation role and its balancing of relations during the conflict.
US President Donald Trump is set to visit Beijing on Wednesday to attend a summit with President Xi Jinping.
