US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has asked China to use its influence over Tehran to help resolve the conflict between the US and Iran.

Beijing has already conveyed a message to Tehran, according to Kommersant.

US President Donald Trump discussed the conflict between Washington and Tehran with Chinese President Xi Jinping during talks at the White House in September. Xi privately agreed that Iran should not possess nuclear weapons. The issue is also expected to feature on the agenda of the upcoming meeting between the two leaders at the APEC summit.

China is one of Iran’s main allies outside the Middle East and its largest importer of Iranian oil. Small privately owned Chinese refineries account for 77% of Iran’s oil exports. However, shipments have fallen significantly since the outbreak of hostilities and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

The two countries also maintain a 25-year comprehensive strategic partnership agreement covering cooperation in 20 areas, including political affairs.

Beijing has repeatedly stressed that it does not support further escalation of the conflict. Trump previously said that Xi had offered to help bring the hostilities to an end.

Xi, for his part, has stated that maintaining peace in the Middle East should be based on respect for the countries of the region, coordination between development and security, the principle of peaceful coexistence, and adherence to international law.