China and Pakistan issued a five-point call for de-escalation in the Gulf and Middle East, while Reuters reported Trump is considering pulling the U.S. out of NATO over the same crisis.
China and Pakistan have jointly called for an immediate ceasefire and renewed diplomacy in the Gulf and wider Middle East, while Reuters reported that Donald Trump is threatening to pull the United States out of NATO over the same crisis.
The two countries issued a five-point initiative in Beijing on March 31 that called for an end to hostilities, the start of peace talks as soon as possible, protection for civilians and nonmilitary targets, and the restoration of normal civilian and commercial passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
China's foreign ministry confirmed the initiative on April 1 and said Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Pakistan's Mohammad Ishaq Dar discussed the regional situation and aimed to contribute to easing tensions.
The statement said dialogue and diplomacy were the only viable path and stressed respect for the U.N. Charter.
Separately, Reuters reported on April 1 that Trump said he was strongly considering pulling the U.S. out of NATO after allies declined to support U.S. military action linked to the Strait of Hormuz crisis. Reuters also quoted him describing the alliance as a "paper tiger".
The twin developments add to pressure on Western and regional diplomacy as the Iran-related confrontation reverberates far beyond the Gulf.
Revision note
Initial automated publication.