China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday he hoped parties in the Iran conflict can stay committed to pursuing a ceasefire and continue to meet each other halfway.
Iran said on Tuesday the United States had violated the ceasefire after the US conducted what it called defensive strikes in southern Iran, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said negotiating a deal to halt the conflict could "take a few days."
"We hope that the parties concerned can stay committed to pursuing a ceasefire and continue to meet each other halfway, so that peace can return to the Middle East as early as possible," Wang told reporters at the United Nations in New York after chairing a meeting of the 15-member Security Council.
"As we have been saying, it takes more than one cold day to freeze three feet of ice, and long-standing issues cannot be resolved overnight," Wang added.
"However, every step forward in the negotiation brings more hope to peace, and one day earlier the conflict is ended means less civilian casualties."
China may be open to receiving Iran's enriched uranium
The Jerusalem Post previously reported that in the ongoing US-Iran negotiations, Iran may consider transferring its 60% enriched uranium to China.
Multiple media have carried similar reports, and China has not denied them, while a response from its Foreign Ministry seems to leave the possibility open.
In response to a question at a press conference on Tuesday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry responded: “Since the outbreak of the war between the United States, Israel, and Iran, China has maintained close communication with all relevant parties, including Iran, and has been working tirelessly to stop the fighting and promote peace.”
Most critically, the ministry said, “We are also willing to continue to play a constructive role in the political and diplomatic resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue, safeguard the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, and promote peace and stability in the Middle East and the world.”
It is unclear whether Iran’s latest raising of the China option as a transfer destination for its 60% enriched uranium is its true desired position in light of the overall negotiations context, or an attempt to probe and press the US on the issue.