China's Middle East envoy to visit Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Oman

China's Foreign Ministry announced that the country's special envoy for Middle Eastern affairs will visit Iran, Oman, and Saudi Arabia this month, according to Reuters. The visits are intended to encourage the parties concerned to halt hostilities and return to the negotiating table, ease tensions, and prevent the expansion of the war across the Middle East, the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea, and the Horn of Africa.

The ministry said the visits would also involve pursuing Chinese President Xi Jinping's initiatives to support regional peace and security. In addition to the Middle East tour, China's special envoy for African affairs will travel to Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Egypt, while Beijing's special envoy for the Horn of Africa will visit Eritrea, the ministry added.

The announcement comes amid heightened regional tensions. China has previously expressed concern over the conflict and called for diplomatic solutions. The visits are part of Beijing's broader diplomatic efforts to engage with relevant parties and promote stability.

According to Mehr News, citing Reuters, the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that the special envoy's tour aims to encourage dialogue and prevent further escalation. The report added that the envoys' trips to Africa and the Horn of Africa are also part of China's diplomatic outreach in those regions.