US had 'top level' talks with China on Iran: White House

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WASHINGTON: The White House has confirmed that the administration engaged in high-level discussions with China during the critical negotiations that led to the current two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran. According to senior officials, the coordination aimed to leverage Beijing’s significant economic influence over Tehran to secure the 14-day pause in hostilities.

National security officials noted that China’s role as a major purchaser of Iranian oil provided essential diplomatic weight in the days leading up to the truce. The administration reportedly sought assurances that China would support a temporary suspension of regional conflict to prevent further destabilization of global energy markets and maritime trade routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz.

While the primary mediation was handled by Pakistan, the White House characterized the dialogue with Beijing as a ‘constructive’ effort to ensure a unified international front during the high-stakes talks. This rare instance of coordination between the two superpowers highlights the urgency of the situation, as the ceasefire was established just hours before a deadline set by the administration.

Despite the cooperation, the U.S. maintains that the upcoming negotiations in Islamabad will focus strictly on its core demands, including the permanent removal of enriched uranium from Iran and a halt to regional proxy activities. For its part, China has urged all parties to use the two-week window to seek a sustainable diplomatic solution and avoid a return to full-scale military engagement.