Wang Yi urges Middle East parties to prioritize talks over military action

One Iranian national security official met with China's top diplomat in Beijing on Monday to discuss the Middle East conflict. Wang Yi, the Chinese Foreign Minister, told Ali Bagheri Kani, the deputy secretary of the Iran Supreme National Security Council, that political solutions should take precedence over renewed military engagement. The conversation took place as Beijing works to position itself as a key mediator in the region.

Wang stated that dialogue and negotiation represent the primary path to resolving conflicts in the Middle East. He further declared that China supports Iran in protecting its sovereignty and security. According to the Chinese state news agency Xinhua, these remarks were made during a formal meeting between the two officials.

Earlier in the day, President Xi Jinping engaged with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said, the leader of Oman. Xi emphasized that the Middle East and the Gulf region should not serve as a battlefield for competition between major world powers. Following their talks, the two nations issued a joint statement. In that document, Muscat expressed support for China's peace proposals and indicated a desire for Beijing to play a larger role in achieving lasting stability in the area.

China has been actively pursuing a more prominent diplomatic presence in the Middle East. To advance this effort, officials announced that the country's special envoy to the region will travel to Iran, Oman, and Saudi Arabia later this month. The visit is part of a broader strategy to engage with key regional stakeholders.

The diplomatic activity in Beijing highlights a coordinated approach by Chinese leadership. By meeting with officials from both Iran and Oman on the same day, China signaled its intent to facilitate communication among conflicting parties. The special envoy's upcoming itinerary will likely focus on reinforcing these bilateral relationships.