China Persuades Iran to Agree to Two-Week Ceasefire with United States

China played a pivotal behind-the-scenes role in persuading Iran to agree to a two-week ceasefire with the United States.

President Trump credited China with helping push Iran to the negotiating table.

Al Jazeera

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made 26 calls to concerned parties.

Pakistan was the lead mediator, but China was the crucial factor in convincing Tehran.

Analysts cautioned that Iran's ceasefire terms were largely maximalist and reflected no real concessions.

China remains the biggest buyer of Iranian oil, and the Strait of Hormuz blockade had begun to hurt China's export-oriented economy.

Despite the ceasefire announcement, the Strait of Hormuz remained effectively closed.

Iran continued to control the waterway and charged tolls on passing ships.

Al-Jarida Al-Dustour

Only a handful of vessels moved through in the days following the ceasefire.

The closure of the strait had a significant impact on global energy markets and China's economy.

Gasoline prices in China jumped 11% in March.

The strait blockade also cut off an important shipping lane for Chinese exports to the Middle East.

China's involvement was marked by a duality between public calls for peace and secret support for Iran's military capabilities.

China was aiding Iran to rebuild its missile program despite U.S.- and Israel-led efforts to weaken it.

Chinese company MizarVision released satellite images of U.S. military bases.

Trump said the U.S. would raise tariffs by 50% on countries that supply weapons to Iran.

China had provided economic lifelines, drone technologies, semiconductors, and chemicals used to make missiles.

This dual role complicated China's position as a mediator.

China's mediation efforts are tied to its broader geopolitical ambitions and economic interests.

China was building a reputation as a mediator in the Middle East.

Al-Qanah al-Mamlaka

Analysts cautioned that China's actual diplomatic sway is limited.

The Strait of Hormuz blockade threatened China's core interests.

The ceasefire provided China with leverage ahead of Trump's planned visit to Beijing.

China's secret military support to Iran complicated its image as a stabilizing force.