A reliable security guarantee mechanism involving the UN Security Council, China, Russia and other major powers, as well as Pakistan, needs to be established to safeguard overall stability in the Middle East, the Iranian ambassador to China Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli said at a Wednesday press conference at the embassy.
The ambassador made the remarks in response to a Global Times inquiry on what key issues Iran believes should be prioritized in the upcoming formal negotiations between the US and Iran in Islamabad over the next two weeks, including navigation rules in the Strait of Hormuz, the withdrawal of US forces from the Middle East, the lifting of sanctions and war reparations, as well as whether Tehran has set clear negotiation red lines and plans for advancing the talks, and whether military operations would continue if no agreement is reached.
He said Iran has already put forward a 10-point proposal, which has been received by the US side. “We hope all the proposals can be effectively implemented and that dialogue will help promote peace across the region,” Ambassador Fazli said.
“We also hope relevant parties can provide credible guarantees to ensure that the US will not once again ignite war in the region,” he added, vowing to promote multilateralism and oppose unilateralism.
Iran and the US have agreed to a 2-week ceasefire less than two hours before the deadline set by US President Donald Trump, and will hold negotiations in Pakistan, Xinhua News Agency reported Wednesday.
Trump said the US side had received a 10-point proposal from Iran, depicting it as “a workable basis on which to negotiate.”
According to Iran’s semi-official Mehr News Agency, the 10-point proposal includes a US commitment to ensure no further acts of aggression, continued Iranian control of the Strait of Hormuz, acceptance of Iran’s nuclear enrichment rights, and the lifting of sanctions, among others.
In response to a question regarding reports that Iranian Ambassador claimed that he hopes China will become a guarantor of security in the Middle East, Mao Ning, a spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry, said that “China hopes all parties can properly resolve disputes through dialogue and negotiation. China will also maintain communication with all parties and continue to make efforts to ease the situation and fully end the conflict.”
