Iran ready to back China's four-point Gulf security plan ahead of Trump visit

Iran on Tuesday announced its readiness to support Chinese President Xi Jinping’s “four-point plan” on Gulf security and regional development ahead of US President Donald Trump’s visit to China this week, as tensions between Tehran and Washington continue despite a fragile ceasefire in the weeks-long conflict that came into effect on April 8. Iran’s ambassador to China, Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, said Tehran was ready to support the Chinese initiative aimed at ensuring lasting security and shared growth in the Persian Gulf region. In a post on X, Fazli wrote, “The Islamic Republic of Iran has announced its readiness to support the Chinese President's four-point plan aimed at establishing lasting security and shared development in the Persian Gulf region, an issue that was also emphasised during the meeting between the foreign ministers of the two countries". The envoy said the issue was also emphasised during talks between Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi and Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi during Araghchi’s recent visit to China. According to Yu Jing, spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in India, the proposal centres on regional peace, sovereignty, international law and economic cooperation. The first point calls for peaceful coexistence through a “common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable” security framework for West Asia and the Gulf region. The second stresses respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and the security of regional nations, along with protection of personnel, institutions and infrastructure, the third underlines adherence to international law and warns against the international system descending into what China described as the “law of the jungle”. The fourth point of the proposal advocates balancing security and development through regional cooperation to promote economic growth and long-term stability. This comes as Trump is expected to visit Beijing from May 13 to May 15 for high-level meetings with Xi amid continuing tensions in West Asia and ongoing diplomatic engagement involving Iran and regional powers.