BEIJING – China’s U.N. ambassador Fu Cong called on Friday for an urgent, sustained ceasefire in the Iran war, stressing the need to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as President Donald Trump prepares to visit Beijing later this month.
Fu told reporters at U.N. headquarters that both Iran must end its restrictions on the vital shipping route and the U.S. must lift its naval blockade to restore passage quickly. He expressed deep concern over reports suggesting the truce might prove temporary, paving the way for renewed attacks, and urged global powers to mobilize against any escalation.
The diplomat emphasized good-faith negotiations between the warring sides to make the ceasefire permanent, speaking as China began its month-long presidency of the U.N. Security Council. He confirmed Foreign Minister Wang Yi will chair a council session on May 26, predicting the Hormuz closure will dominate talks if unresolved by Trump’s arrival.
Fu dismissed U.S. claims of military ties between Beijing and Tehran as baseless. No immediate U.S. response came on potential meetings between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Wang during the ambassador’s U.S. visit.