China and Pakistan unveiled a comprehensive five-point peace initiative Monday aimed at ending the month-long war between Iran and the U.S.-Israeli coalition, marking the first major diplomatic intervention by a global power since the conflict began Feb. 28.
The proposal emerged following meetings in Beijing between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar on March 31 , as regional powers intensify efforts to broker an end to fighting that has disrupted global energy markets and threatened broader Middle East stability.
The five-point framework calls for an “immediate cessation of hostilities” with “utmost efforts to prevent the conflict from spreading,” while demanding humanitarian assistance be allowed to all war-affected areas . The plan emphasizes that “dialogue and diplomacy is the only viable option to resolve conflicts,” with both nations supporting peace talks while all parties commit to refraining from “the use or the threat of use of force” .
The initiative comes as the war enters its fifth week, with escalating casualties and economic disruption. Iranian health ministry figures show 1,500 people killed in Iran alone as of Tuesday, with 18,551 injured . Fighting has killed at least 1,900 Iranians in March, including over 200 children, while Iranian retaliation has killed at least 16 people in Israel and wounded over 6,000 Israelis .
The plan’s third point addresses civilian protection, calling for an end to strikes on non-military targets. China and Pakistan demand parties “immediately stop attacks on civilians and nonmilitary targets” including “energy, desalination and power facilities, and peaceful nuclear infrastructure, such as nuclear power plants” . Israel has attacked Iranian gas fields, energy facilities and manufacturing centers , while President Donald Trump has threatened to “obliterate” Iran’s energy grid in retaliation for Tehran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz .
Maritime security features prominently in the fourth point, reflecting global economic concerns over the strategic waterway. The Strait of Hormuz “is an important global shipping route for goods and energy,” with both nations calling for protection of “ships and crew members stranded” and restoration of “normal passage” as soon as possible . Oil prices are hovering around $100 a barrel as attacks on shipping and energy infrastructure disrupt key supply routes, with ships reportedly hit in the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman .
The diplomatic push reflects Pakistan’s unique position as an intermediary between Washington and Tehran. Pakistan maintains close ties with both Washington and Tehran and has positioned itself as an intermediary, saying it conveyed to Iran a U.S. peace plan . The Associated Press reported that Iran has received President Trump’s 15-point peace plan, with unnamed officials in Islamabad saying intermediaries had delivered the plan to the Iranian government .
China’s involvement marks a significant diplomatic expansion into Middle East crisis management. The five-point proposal is the first time a key global power has stated a pathway to end the war that began on Feb. 28, with China being the world’s second-largest economy . China is the top buyer of oil from Iran and Saudi Arabia , while this marks the first time China has issued a joint initiative with another country on the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict, signaling that momentum for peace talks has evolved into a combined force of regional countries and major powers .
The initiative’s final point emphasizes multilateral frameworks, calling for efforts to “practice true multilateralism” and “strengthen the primacy of the U.N.” while supporting “a comprehensive peace framework” based on U.N. Charter principles and international law .
Regional reactions have been mixed but generally supportive of de-escalation efforts. Qatar’s Foreign Ministry warned that Iranian attacks on energy and civilian infrastructure “cross many red lines” and breach international law, with spokesman Majed Al Ansari stressing that while Iran must be part of any long-term solution, continued escalation “will not be in anyone’s interest” .
The peace plan faces significant obstacles, with fundamental disagreements between warring parties remaining unresolved. While Trump said Tuesday the U.S. and Iran are “in negotiations right now,” Iran has consistently denied direct talks with Washington . Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed deep skepticism about U.S. intentions, saying “We do not have any faith that negotiations with the U.S. will yield any results. The trust level is at zero. We don’t see honesty” .
Critics argue the China-Pakistan peace plan “has little to offer on conflict resolution” but rather “reveals much about how Beijing intends to manage its exposure to war” . The document “is structured to avoid friction altogether,” neither assigning responsibility nor identifying triggers, with everything “framed in general terms, addressed to ‘all parties’” .
Despite skepticism, the initiative has attracted international attention as diplomatic efforts intensify.