Iran and the United States remain deadlocked over efforts to end their ongoing conflict, despite a fragile ceasefire and growing international concern over renewed instability in West Asia.
Recent days have seen continued exchanges of fire, attacks on ships and Gulf states, and fresh clashes between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, raising fears of a wider regional conflict.
US President Donald Trump is expected to discuss the Iran crisis during his visit to China this week, seeking support from Chinese President Xi Jinping to press Tehran for concessions. China is Iran’s largest buyer of sanctioned crude oil and is seen as having significant influence.
Iran has demanded an end to the American blockade and the lifting of sanctions before any negotiations on its stockpile of highly enriched uranium can begin.
The United States and Israel have insisted that the uranium must be removed from Iran, citing concerns that it could be used to develop nuclear weapons.