Pedro Sánchez Says Xi Jinping Can Help End Middle East Conflict After US–Iran Talks Collapse

Beijing, April 14, 2026 - Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has urged Chinese President Xi Jinping to play a greater diplomatic role in resolving the ongoing Middle East conflict, stating that Beijing is one of the few global actors capable of helping bring an end to the crisis following the failure of US-Iran negotiations in Islamabad.

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Speaking after his meeting with Xi Jinping in Beijing on Tuesday, Sánchez declared that it is "very difficult to find other interlocutors, beyond China," who can help resolve the situation in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz. He called on China to do more by demanding respect for international law and pushing for an end to conflicts in the region, including those involving Lebanon, Gaza, and the West Bank.

Sánchez's remarks come as the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports remains in effect, shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has thinned dramatically, and the fragile two-week ceasefire hangs in the balance. The high-level talks mediated by Pakistan collapsed over the weekend without a comprehensive agreement or extension of the truce.

During the bilateral meeting, both leaders pledged to strengthen Spain-China ties and jointly safeguard multilateralism. Sánchez also addressed Tsinghua University on Monday, where he encouraged China to assume a larger role in a multipolar world and support peacekeeping and conflict mediation efforts.

Xi Jinping has separately expressed China's readiness to contribute constructively to Middle East peace, emphasizing the need to uphold international rule of law and avoid a return to "the law of the jungle."

Spain has taken an independent stance on the conflict, including restricting U.S. access to certain military bases, which has strained relations with Washington. Analysts see Sánchez's visit and comments as part of a broader European effort to engage Beijing diplomatically amid growing concerns over energy prices, supply chain disruptions, and regional escalation.

The Spanish leader announced several bilateral agreements with China aimed at deepening economic and political cooperation during his visit.

As tensions persist in the Gulf with no immediate breakthrough in sight, Sánchez's appeal adds momentum to calls for alternative mediation channels beyond the current U.S.-led pressure tactics.