China urges stable transit and respect for Iran’s rights in Strait of Hormuz

China urged respect for Tehran’s rights as a littoral state of the Strait of Hormuz but called for freedom and safety of navigation through the key waterway amid conflict between the US and Iran.

“China supports maintaining the momentum of the ceasefire and peace talks, which serves the fundamental interests of the Iranian people and reflects the shared expectations of countries in the region and the international community,” Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi in a phone call on Wednesday.

“Iran’s sovereignty, security, and legitimate rights and interests as a littoral state of the Strait of Hormuz should be respected and upheld,” said Wang, according to a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Wang, however, said: “The freedom and safety of navigation through this international strait must be ensured.”

“Restoring normal transit through the strait is a shared call of the international community,” Wang added.

The normal passage for global cargo, crude oil, as well as commercial shipping, has been disrupted since US and Israel launched a war with Iran on Feb. 28.

Since Monday this week, the US has implemented what it called a blockade of Iranian ports facing the strait.

The warring sides are currently observing a two-week ceasefire, mediated by Pakistan, since April 08. Efforts by mediators are ongoing to end the war.

Wang’s call with Araghchi came as Pakistan army chief Gen. Asim Munir on Wednesday reached Tehran to lay ground for a possible second round of US-Iran talks.

Pakistan hosted the highest-level direct engagement between Washington and Tehran over the weekend but the talks remained inconclusive.

The South Asian country has begun preparations for a likely second round of talks, for which US Vice President JD Vance and Iranian parliament Speaker Bagher Qalibaf are expected to return to Islamabad in coming days.