During a summit on September 25, U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed the ongoing Middle East conflict, while Iran proposed a seven-day plan aimed at easing regional tensions and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The plan, put forth by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, calls for the lifting of U.S. sanctions, the release of frozen Iranian funds, and an end to hostilities, contingent upon U.S. acceptance.
President Xi advocated for a return to the June framework that had previously facilitated a temporary ceasefire and urged both the United States and Iran to resume negotiations towards a comprehensive settlement. Iran expressed its openness to this suggestion while simultaneously promoting its seven-day peace initiative.
Although the United States has not publicly accepted Iran’s proposal, discussions through mediators have been described as constructive, particularly concerning nuclear issues. However, Iran has maintained a firm stance against making concessions related to its nuclear program, including uranium enrichment.
In the context of these discussions, President Trump cautioned President Xi against providing any form of support to Iran, either directly or indirectly. U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue confirmed that China assured the U.S. it was not aiding Iran.
The conflict has significantly impacted energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions across the Gulf, and affecting regions like Yemen and Lebanon. In response to these growing security concerns, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey have been in talks to enhance military and intelligence coordination.