The Blogs: Iran Talks Shift From Tehran to Beijing - NY to key UN Security Council Meeting | Rafi Glick

image:Chinese President Xi Jinping meets Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during events marking 75 years of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. (AP Photo)

The diplomatic contacts surrounding the Iranian issue have entered a phase of strategic ambiguity. In the United States, the long Memorial Day weekend has begun, financial markets are closed, and the American political system is not expected to return to full activity until Tuesday, after the holiday ends.

At the same time, intensive discussions continue across Asia and the Middle East. Pakistan’s army chief arrived in Tehran last night and, together with Pakistan’s interior minister, is continuing talks with Iranian officials. Al Arabiya reported this morning that the discussions extended late into the night.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s prime minister is beginning a four-day visit to China as part of the celebrations marking 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The economic dimension of the visit is expected to focus on a conference in Hangzhou dealing with advanced technology, the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and additional strategic issues.

On the political side, a meeting with the Chinese leadership is expected in Beijing. It is possible that China and Pakistan may attempt to shift some of the more disputed elements of the negotiations with Iran from Tehran to Beijing, in an effort to narrow remaining gaps and avoid further escalation.

On Tuesday, May 26, China’s foreign minister is expected to arrive in New York City for a special discussion on the Iranian-American crisis at the United Nations Security Council. China, currently serving as the rotating president of the Security Council, has chosen to place the issue at the center of the agenda.

If preliminary principles for an agreement are reached by then, the Security Council discussion could provide the emerging framework with an initial form of international diplomatic cover.

It remains unclear whether the world is moving toward an agreement or toward military escalation. However, it increasingly appears that the major powers and international institutions are preparing for both scenarios.