What does the China-Pakistan plan for the Iran crisis mean for a post-war order?

By issuing a joint five-point plan on the Iran crisis on Tuesday, China and Pakistan have laid out what Chinese analysts described as a “feasible path” towards a ceasefire and renewed diplomacy.At the same time, the move quietly signalled an early effort to shape the post-war Middle East order in a region where the long-standing US-dominated security framework was already facing growing strain and uncertainty, the observers said.In recent weeks, regional powers have emerged as mediators to prevent Iran’s total collapse and the permanent closure of global energy lanes.Turkey has joined Pakistan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia to form a united regional diplomatic front. During talks in Islamabad earlier this week, the four countries’ foreign ministers sought to establish a formal peace-broker channel distinct from a Western-led plan.The initiative by China and Pakistan – following talks in Beijing on Tuesday between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar – called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the prompt start of peace talks.