Donald Trump has floated the idea of a trilateral summit with China and Russia to broker an end to the Iran war, with his administration under pressure to deliver a breakthrough following the US midterm elections, according to analysts.
Chinese observers also see Beijing potentially playing the role of a neutral mediator and offering a diplomatic platform rather than pressuring Tehran into a deal.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the US president said he would meet his Chinese and Russian counterparts during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in Shenzhen next week in a bid to broker an end to the Iran war.