Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi is currently in Beijing meeting with his Chinese counterpart, FM Wang Yi, and thetiming of the visit sends a resounding message to Washington and the West. The highly anticipated Trump-Xi meeting is still scheduled for next week, expected for May 14-15, though there has been ample speculation the ongoing events of the unpredictable Iran war and Hormuz Strait crisiscould derail the trip at the last minute.
Of course, Iran and the question of peace will be high on the agenda as Trump visits - and currently it seems the White House isdesperate to set in place some kind of final offramp, given the Tuesday night 'pause' in Project Freedom operations in the Gulf.
Upon the occasion of Araghchi's visit, Foreign Minister Wang has taken the opportunity toagain call for the immediate opening of the strait. And the Iranian top diplomat seconded this at a moment the US Navy has imposed an effective blockade of Iranian ports, which of course severely impacts Iranian oil going to China. "Currently, it is possible to resolve the issue ofreopening the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible,"Xinhuaquoted Araghchi as saying.
Wang during the meeting also called for a "comprehensive ceasefire," saying his country is deeply distressed by the war. Xinhua further quoted him assaying:
"The international community shares a common concern for restoring normal and safe passage through the Strait, and China hopes the relevant parties willrespond as quickly as possibleto the strong calls from the international community."
The two sides are clearly coordinating their messaging to some degree, given Wang also expressed that China"appreciates Iran’s pledge to not develop nuclear weapons."
Tehran has for years insisted its program is only for peaceful nuclear energy development and for domestic needs, but has amid Trump's Operation Epic Fury made clear it will never given up its right to enriched uranium. It has said this is as "sacred as the soil" and sees it as a matter of national sovereignty. This in the face of US demands that it transfer all nuclear material out of the country.
More out of Beijing onWednesday:
“We believe that a comprehensive ceasefire brooks no delay, aresumption of hostilities is inadvisable, and persisting with negotiations is particularly important,” Wang told Araghchi at the start of their meeting, according to footage released by Hong Kong-based Phoenix TV.
...Earlier, US Secretary of State MarcoRubio urged China to press Iran to ease its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas passes.
Source: ZeroHedge News
