China Responds to US-Iran War Deal
China has responded with cautious optimism to the United States and Iran’s agreement to end hostilities more than three months after the U.S.-Israel attacks against the Islamic Republic on February 28.
“China welcomes the U.S. and Iran reaching an agreement on the text of an initial memorandum of understanding,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters during a regular press briefing in Beijing on Monday.
“We hope the document will be signed as planned and all relevant parties will stay committed to peaceful solutions and resolve issues through dialogue and negotiation,” Lin said.
President Donald Trump on Sunday hailed a “great deal” with Iran in on Truth Social post in which he declared the Strait of Hormuz reopened.
“Congratulations to all! I hereby fully authorize the toll free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, simultaneously herewith, authorize the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade. Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow!” Trump said.
Iran‘s state-owned Mehr news agency said the MOU would lead to the unfreezing of Iranian assets and joint Iranian and Omani administration of the strait, among other items, although some details have been disputed by the U.S. side.
President Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan, whose government was one of the mediators of the April 8 ceasefire and continued to facilitate talks between the U.S. and Iran, thanked both sides for “commitment to finding a diplomatic solution.”
Sharif said talks would continue ahead of an official signing ceremony in Switzerland on Friday, June 19.
Lin, China’s ministry spokesperson, commended Pakistan‘s mediation efforts, adding: “China stands ready to join the international community in playing an active role in restoring peace and tranquility to the Middle East and Gulf region at an early date.”
China, which sources roughly 40 percent of its oil and about one-third of its liquefied natural gas from the Middle East, is also believed to have played a behind-the-scenes role in the April ceasefire, according to both Sharif and Trump, although further involvement has not been publicly disclosed.
The tentative U.S.-Iran agreement had appeared in doubt earlier on Sunday after Israel bombed the suburbs of Beirut in the Lebanese capital, drawing an exasperated response from Trump, who said the attack “should not have happened.”
Israel’s campaign against the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon remains one of the key issues threatening to derail a lasting peace.
While there were early signs of commercial vessel movement near the strait, nearly 600 vessels remained trapped in the Persian Gulf on Monday, according to the commodities analytics firm Kpler. More than half were laden with product, it said.
Shipping in the strait has been at a standstill since the start of the Iran war, causing a surge in global energy costs.
Vessel activity and commodities prices may not return to prewar levels for the rest of the year, according to the International Energy Agency.
Analysis in early March by the Center for Strategic and International Studies estimated that at least 55 Chinese-flagged ships were stuck in the Gulf, despite reports of Chinese-linked vessels exiting strait in single digits.
This is a developing story. Updates to follow.
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This story was originally published June 15, 2026 at 1:52 AM.