Beijing, 06 May (Agency). The crisis between the US and Iran continues unabated. Various statements on Wednesday have further complicated the situation, however, some indications suggest that the possibility of reaching an agreement between the two parties is increasing. Meanwhile, China has expressed its willingness to facilitate peace talks between Tehran and Washington. So far, diplomatic efforts have failed to resolve the conflict.
There has only been one round of direct talks between US and Iranian officials, while attempts at further meetings have been unsuccessful. According to the latest developments, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Wednesday that Iran will only accept a fair and comprehensive agreement to end the ongoing war in the Middle East, while US President Donald Trump has claimed significant progress in the process.
Iranian media reported that Araghchi stated, after meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing, that Iran will make every effort to protect its legitimate rights and interests and will only accept an agreement that is fair and comprehensive. On the other hand, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed China's willingness to facilitate peace talks between the US and Iran, as reported by Chinese state TV.
During his meeting with Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi in Beijing, Wang Yi said that China is ready to help initiate and advance peace talks between the US and Iran and wants to play a more active role in restoring peace and stability in the Middle East. Araghchi did not comment on US President Donald Trump's recent offer to temporarily halt US actions to monitor ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, in order to promote efforts towards an agreement between the two parties.
This strait has been effectively closed since February 28, when the US and Israel launched airstrikes against Iran. The situation has affected nearly 20% of global oil shipments and triggered a global energy crisis. Trump wrote on social media that both parties have mutually agreed to suspend the freedom plan for a short period to see if a comprehensive agreement can be completed and signed.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other senior officials have stated that Iran cannot be allowed to control maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has effectively closed the strait and has threatened to deploy mines, drones, missiles, and high-speed boats. In response, the US has imposed sanctions on Iranian ports and provided security squads for commercial ships passing through the strait.
The US military announced on Monday that it had destroyed several small Iranian boats, as well as cruise missiles and drones. Despite this, the fragile ceasefire reached four weeks ago remains in place. The conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths and has spread to Lebanon and other Arab countries, also affecting global markets.
US President Donald Trump said, while speaking to journalists in the Oval Office, that Iran's military capability has been weakened and that, despite tough rhetoric, Tehran wants peace. He wrote on the social media platform "Truth Social" that there is "significant progress" towards a comprehensive and final agreement with Iranian representatives.
This conflict is also putting pressure on the Trump administration, particularly ahead of the upcoming midterm elections in November, as high petrol prices are affecting voters' lives. Trump claims that the purpose of US and Israeli attacks is to eliminate imminent threats from Iran, including its nuclear and missile programs and its support for Hamas and Hezbollah. On the other hand, Iran has described these attacks as a violation of its sovereignty and has stated that it has the right to peaceful nuclear technology and enrichment, as it is a member of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.
