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Xi Hails 'Unbreakable' Pakistan Ties, Praises Role in Iran Peace Efforts
Iran warned Monday that, while some progress had been made, it was not yet close to striking a deal with the United States to end the Middle East war, after a weekend of mixed messages from Washington and Tehran. World oil prices tumbled on renewed optimism about an agreement, after top US diplomat Marco Rubio suggested a deal could be reached within the day -- but Iran's foreign ministry spokesman responded: "No one can make such a claim." Meanwhile, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif -- whose government is spearheading efforts to mediate a negotiated agreement between the United States and Iran -- met China's President Xi Jinping in Beijing. US and Iranian forces have observed a ceasefire since April 8 while diplomats push for a negotiated settlement, although Iran has maintained controls on Gulf shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and the US Navy has sought to blockade Iran's ports. "We thought we might have some news last night, maybe today," US Secretary of State Rubio told reporters during a visit to New Delhi, referring to hopes for a deal. "We have what I think is a pretty solid thing on the table in terms of their ability to open up the straits, get the straits open," he said. "We're either going to have a good agreement or we're going to have to deal with it another way. We'd prefer to have a good agreement," he said. But in Tehran, foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei poured cold water on hopes for a quick final settlement. - 'Certain fees' - "It is correct to say that we have reached a conclusion on a large portion of the issues under discussion," he told a weekly news briefing. "But to say that this means the signing of an agreement is imminent -- no one can make such a claim." Baqaei stressed that Iran would continue to manage maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz by charging service fees -- arguing that this did not amount to Tehran "seeking to collect tolls". "The services that are provided -- navigational services in addition to the measures necessary to protect the environment of the Strait of Hormuz”, the Arabian Gulf “and the Sea of Oman -- require the collection of certain fees," he said. Earlier, President Donald Trump had said that he had told his negotiators "not to rush into a deal, in that time is on our side", and warned that the US naval blockade would remain in place until a deal was reached. A post on Trump's Truth Social read: "If I make a deal with Iran, it will be a good and proper one," adding that: "I...
China's Xi praises 'unbreakable' Pakistan ties as Sharif visits Beijing ...
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says China and Pakistan are ‘iron brother’ countries.China’s President Xi Jinping has hailed Beijing’s “unbreakable” friendship with Pakistan as he met visiting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, seeking to deepen their “all-weather” partnership.Pakistan is among an exclusive group of countries China regards as an “all-weather strategic partner”, with ties featuring close economic, trade and security cooperation.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Thousands rally in Taiwan to boost defence spending amid China tensionslist 2 of 3Suicide car bomb attack on train in Pakistan kills at least 24list 3 of 3China sends aid to Cuba amid a harsh US blockadeend of listGreeting Sharif at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People on Monday, Xi called him an “old friend” and said the two countries had “understood, trusted and supported each other” over decades, forging an “unbreakable traditional friendship”.“No matter how the international situation changes, China always prioritises the development of China-Pakistan relations in its neighbourhood diplomacy,” Xi said.Beijing was willing to work with Islamabad to build a more close-knit China-Pakistan community with a shared future and achieve more in their “all-weather” cooperation, he added.Sharif, in turn, called China and Pakistan two “iron brother” countries with a relationship that is “next to none”.The visit comes as Pakistan continues to play a leading role in mediating talks aimed at ending the US-Israel war on Iran.Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, who has been at the centre of mediating talks between Washington and Tehran, is accompanying Sharif.Speaking to Chinese leaders in Beijing alongside Munir, Sharif said, “The world is passing through a critical moment.”“Things are moving in the right direction. I would like to thank China’s support to promote peace,” he added.Pakistan has emerged as a central mediator between the United States and Iran, hosting face-to-face talks last month that failed to yield a lasting agreement.China has played a quieter role, shepherding phone calls and meetings with officials of Gulf countries. It has said it will work with Pakistan to “make positive contributions to the early restoration of peace and stability in the Middle East”.According to Chinese state media reports, in his meeting with Sharif on Monday, Xi said he appreciates Islamabad’s “constructive role in mediating peace in the Middle East”.For Pakistan, engaging China in its mediation eff...
Xi hails 'unbreakable' Pakistan ties, praises role in Iran peace ...
China's President Xi Jinping hailed Beijing's "unbreakable" friendship with Pakistan on Monday as he met visiting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, seeking to deepen their "all-weather" partnership.
Xi hails 'unbreakable' Pakistan ties, praises role in Iran peace ...
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attend a meeting with other officials at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 25. © ReutersBEIJING (Reuters) -- China's President Xi Jinping hailed Beijing's "unbreakable" friendship with Pakistan on Monday as he met visiting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, seeking to deepen their "all-weather" partnership.Pakistan is among an exclusive group of countries China regards as an "all-weather strategic partner," with ties featuring close economic, trade and security cooperation. But repeated Islamist militant attacks on Chinese nationals and projects in the South Asian country have emerged as an irritant, while Islamabad's warming ties with Washington have added complexity to its ties with Beijing.Greeting Sharif at Beijing's Great Hall of the People, Xi called the Pakistani leader an "old friend" and said the two countries had "understood, trusted and supported each other" over decades, forging an "unbreakable traditional friendship.""No matter how the international situation changes, China always prioritizes the development of China-Pakistan relations in its neighborhood diplomacy," Xi said.Beijing was willing to work with Islamabad to build a more close-knit China-Pakistan community with a shared future and achieve more in their "all-weather" cooperation, Xi added.Sharif, in turn, called China and Pakistan two "iron brother" countries with a relationship that is "next to none."He was accompanied at Monday's meeting by Pakistan's Army chief, Asim Munir, who was recently in Tehran for meetings with the Iranian leadership.Following a rickety ceasefire in the Iran conflict, achieved in April, Pakistan hosted mediation talks in Islamabad between Washington and Tehran, relaying proposals and missives between the warring countries even when tensions escalated.Weeks into Islamabad's diplomatic efforts, Washington has reported progress in negotiations with Tehran."I know that you have just returned from Iran and made positive efforts for the current peace. We still appreciate the constructive role played by Pakistan," Xi said.For Pakistan, engaging China in its mediation efforts is important given Beijing and Tehran's close ties.China and Pakistan issued a five-point initiative in March as their foreign ministers met in Beijing, calling for peace talks and restoration of normal navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, the vital waterway through which roughly a fifth of the world's oil and l...
