Spain's prime minister has said he sees China as the main global interlocutor that can help end the war in Iran, as well as other conflicts such as Ukraine.
Speaking after meeting Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, in Beijing, Pedro Sanchez said: "I find it very difficult to find other interlocutors, beyond China, who can resolve this situation created in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz."
His remarks are significant as they suggest Sanchez considers China, the main global rival of the US, a key player in bringing the war to an end. They will no doubt play into Beijing's efforts to position itself as a peacemaker in the region (see 7.58am post).
Sanchez has been one of Europe's loudest critics of the US-Israeli war in the Middle East.
The Spanish government closed its airspace to US planes being used in the war, and said it was not allowing the US to use jointly operated military bases in southern Spain for actions related to the conflict.