Archive · 2 Sep 2026
US Holds Quiet Iran Talks With China and Russia
The United States talked privately with China and Russia about Iran.
These talks happened during a meeting of G20 finance ministers.
The United States wants other countries to support its pressure campaign against Iran.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said China agrees that Iran should not get a nuclear weapon.
He also said China agrees that ships should be able to travel freely through the Strait of Hormuz.
However, China did not promise to take specific actions to reopen the waterway.
The waterway is important because it carries energy supplies to many countries, including China.
Some countries supported a G20 statement about keeping the strait open, but China objected to that part.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington held quiet discussions with China and Russia about Iran during a G20 finance ministers’ meeting in Asheville, North Carolina.
Bessent said the United States and China agreed that Iran should not have a nuclear weapon and that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open.
He clarified that China made no specific commitment to help reopen the waterway or take concrete steps against Iran.
Bessent said several unnamed US allies offered intelligence, economic intelligence and outreach against entities supporting Iran, but no concrete sanctions commitments were announced.
The G20 chair’s statement called for safe navigation of the Strait of Hormuz, while China objected to that passage and other sections of the statement.
- Who
- The United States, China, Russia, Iran and unnamed US allies; Scott Bessent spoke for the US administration.
- What
- The United States held quiet discussions with China and Russia about Iran, nuclear weapons, economic pressure and navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
- When
- During a two-day G20 finance ministers’ meeting; the reports also said the US launched airstrikes on Iran on Tuesday, followed by Iranian retaliation.
- Where
- The talks took place during the G20 meeting in Asheville, North Carolina; the Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
- Why
- Washington sought broader international support for its economic campaign against Iran and wanted support for restoring free maritime trade through the Strait of Hormuz.
US Position
Chinese Position and Response
Reopening the Strait of Hormuz
US Position
Bessent said China has a direct interest in restoring unrestricted navigation because it relies heavily on Gulf energy and should work toward a solution.
Chinese Position and Response
China was described as agreeing that the strait must remain open, but it made no specific commitment to take steps to reopen it.
G20 statement
US Position
The other G20 members present supported language calling for free, safe and predictable navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Chinese Position and Response
China objected to the paragraph on the strait, as well as sections on global economic imbalances, IMF surveillance and sovereign debt.
Pressure on Iran
US Position
The United States said it was seeking broader international support and that several unnamed allies offered intelligence and outreach against entities supporting Iran.
Chinese Position and Response
No specific Chinese or Russian measures supporting the US economic campaign against Iran were announced.
- US official
- Scott Bessent, the US Treasury secretary
- Meeting
- Two-day G20 finance ministers’ meeting in Asheville, North Carolina
- Talks
- Quiet discussions involving the United States, China and Russia about Iran
- China’s position described by Bessent
- China agrees Iran should not have a nuclear weapon and that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open
- Specific commitment
- Bessent said China made no specific agreement or commitment to reopen the strait
- G20 statement
- Called free, safe and predictable navigation of the Strait of Hormuz essential to global growth
- China’s objections
- China objected to the Hormuz paragraph and sections on economic imbalances, IMF surveillance and sovereign debt
