Tehran has signalled readiness to support President Xi Jinping’s four-point proposal for ending the United States-Iran war, placing Beijing’s diplomatic framework at the centre of a widening contest over security in the Persian Gulf.Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, Iran’s ambassador to China, said on Monday that the Islamic Republic was prepared to back the Chinese president’s initiative, describing it as a path towards lasting security and shared development in the Persian Gulf region. His statement followed talks between Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, and China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, in Beijing, where both sides pressed the need for de-escalation and a political settlement.
Xi’s proposal, first set out during his April 14 meeting in Beijing with Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, rests on four broad principles: peaceful coexistence, respect for national sovereignty, adherence to international law, and a balance between development and security. The formula reflects China’s effort to present itself as a stabilising power at a moment when the conflict has disrupted energy flows, maritime security and regional diplomacy.
The Iranian endorsement gives Beijing an opening to deepen its role as a mediator, though the proposal still faces major obstacles. Washington has rejected Tehran’s latest peace terms, while Iran continues to insist on guarantees covering sovereignty, sanctions relief and maritime rights. The dispute over the Strait of Hormuz remains central, with the waterway carrying a large share of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments and forming a critical route for Asian energy consumers.
China’s interest is both diplomatic and economic. It is the largest buyer of Iranian oil and a major trading partner of Gulf states, making stability in the region a strategic priority. Beijing has avoided adopting Tehran’s full position, instead urging an end to hostilities, protection of navigation and renewed negotiations. That balancing act is intended to preserve ties with Iran while avoiding a rupture with Gulf partners and the United States.
Iran’s support for Xi’s framework also reflects Tehran’s attempt to widen the diplomatic field beyond Washington-led channels. By aligning publicly with Beijing’s plan, Iran is seeking to frame the conflict as a regional security crisis requiring multilateral guarantees rather than a bilateral dispute dictated by American military pressure. That approach allows Tehran to highlight sovereignty and international law while keeping open a route for negotiation.
The four-point plan does not yet amount to a detailed ceasefire mechanism. It does not specify enforcement measures, sequencing for withdrawal or sanctions relief, or a monitoring structure for the Gulf. Its strength lies instead in its political language, which appeals to states wary of further escalation but divided over Iran’s conduct, the United States’ military posture and the role of Israel and Gulf powers in the confrontation.
Beijing has tied the initiative to a broader security architecture for the Middle East and the Gulf, calling for a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable framework. That wording echoes China’s Global Security Initiative and its wider push to challenge Western-led crisis management. The proposal also builds on China’s earlier diplomatic success in encouraging the restoration of relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, though the present conflict is far more complex.
Regional governments are likely to examine the plan through the lens of immediate security interests. Gulf states want calm in shipping lanes and protection for energy infrastructure, but they remain cautious about any arrangement that leaves Iran with unchecked military leverage. Iran wants recognition of its security concerns and relief from pressure, while the United States is seeking constraints on Tehran’s nuclear and regional activities.
The timing of Rahmani Fazli’s statement is significant. It came as diplomatic efforts were under strain and as markets, shipping operators and governments assessed the risk of a prolonged confrontation. Oil prices have remained sensitive to developments around Hormuz, while food and fertiliser supply chains have also drawn attention because of the Gulf’s role in global trade.