China and Pakistan present new Iran deal: Ceasefire for opening Hormuz

Axios
by Barak Ravid
March 31, 2026
2 min read

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China and Pakistan unveiled a joint peace initiative Tuesday calling for an immediate ceasefire in Iran and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, with Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Chinese counterpart Wang Yi presenting a six-point framework after bilateral talks in Beijing. The proposal includes humanitarian aid access, protection of energy and nuclear infrastructure, and a commitment to refrain from force during peace talks. President Trump told Axios that "negotiations with Iran are going well" but declined to specify whether he endorsed the initiative, though sources suggest China's involvement implies tacit U.S. approval given Pakistan's role as key mediator between Washington and Tehran. China, as Iran's top trade partner and largest oil importer, has substantial leverage in Tehran. Trump is planning a May visit to China, having previously pursued warmer ties with Beijing following a trade truce last year.

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