Afghanistan, May 14 -- US officials reportedly view China as one of the few countries capable of influencing Iran because Beijing remains the largest buyer of Iranian oil and a key economic partner for Tehran.
According to Reuters, Washington hopes China can encourage Iran to return to negotiations and help stabilize a fragile ceasefire after months of conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran. Rising tensions in the Gulf and uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz have also pushed global oil prices higher.
Analysts, however, say China faces competing interests. Beijing wants stability in the Middle East and uninterrupted energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, but it also sees Iran as an important strategic partner agai...