The Beijing plan

Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar travelled to Beijing to meet Wang Yi. Together they presented a peace plan. According to reports, the White House "does not oppose" the initiative. It is the first time a diplomatic framework that excludes both Washington and Jerusalem has received implicit American approval.

The geometry is interesting. Pakistan has been the channel between Washington and Tehran, relaying the 15 points and Iran's five-condition counterproposal. China has enormous commercial and energy interests with both Iran and the Gulf states. Wang Yi told Araghchi that "talking is always better than fighting". That Beijing is actively involved in mediation, with tacit US backing, is an acknowledgement that Washington cannot resolve alone what it started alone.

Rubio told Al Jazeera that objectives would be achieved "in weeks". NATO intercepted a missile fired by Iran toward Turkey, the fourth since the war began. The war expands while peace is sought. China and Pakistan offer a table. Whether anyone sits down remains to be seen.