Key facts
- China will send a special envoy to the Middle East to ease tensions.
- Beijing is concerned about the conflict's spillover into the Horn of Africa and Red Sea.
- Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan met Iranian officials in Tehran on Monday to de-escalate the conflict.
- US President Donald Trump indicated the US may strike Iran again.
China is deeply concerned about the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and surrounding regions, and plans to dispatch a special envoy to the area soon. Foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated on Tuesday that the envoy's mission is to strengthen communication, promote dialogue, ease tensions, and prevent further escalation.
Beijing's move comes amid heightened regional tensions, including new Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and sharpened US-Iran relations, with President Donald Trump signaling potential further strikes against Iran. Top officials from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan met with Iranian officials in Tehran on Monday to discuss de-escalation efforts.
China has previously linked Middle East stability to security challenges in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, agreeing with Djibouti last week that easing regional tensions is crucial.