China has offered to mediate between the United States, Israel, and Iran as the conflict expands, naming Zhai Jun, its current envoy to the Middle East, to lead the diplomatic effort. The announcement, made March 5, 2026, comes as Beijing navigates growing economic and strategic concerns stemming from the war, which began with joint U.S.-Israeli military strikes against Iran on February 28th.
The offer reflects China’s significant economic interests in the region, particularly its reliance on Middle Eastern oil and gas supplies. According to experts, the conflict threatens those supplies, prompting Beijing’s intervention. “They have this long-standing relationship with the Iranian government. They’ve invested a lot in Iran. Part of that arrangement has to do with getting oil and gas out of Iran,” said Ja Ian Chong, a Chinese politics expert at the National University of Singapore.
The U.S.-Israeli military campaign has targeted senior Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, as well as missile facilities, naval assets, and sites associated with regime security forces. Iran has responded with drone and missile attacks targeting both Israel and Gulf states. This expansion of the conflict, even as seemingly incongruous given Tehran’s recent diplomatic overtures to regional neighbors like Saudi Arabia, appears to be a calculated attempt to increase economic and diplomatic pressure on Washington, according to analysis of the conflict.
Moscow has also called for de-escalation, jointly requesting an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council with China. Russian President Vladimir Putin described the assassination of Supreme Leader Khamenei as a “cynical violation of all norms of human morals.” Despite the strong rhetoric, neither Russia nor China has indicated a willingness to intervene militarily on Iran’s behalf.
China’s Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi urged his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Saar, to end the war in Iran, stating that “force cannot truly solve problems.” This message echoes similar calls for a diplomatic solution from India this week. Wang also reportedly told Saar that Israel and the U.S. Should cease military strikes against Iran.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry has not yet specified which countries Zhai Jun will visit as part of the mediation effort. The timing of the announcement coincides with the annual “Two Sessions” gathering of Chinese political elites in Beijing.
