Al Mayadeen, citing an Asian source: a closed China-Oman-Iran trilateral in Beijing, with Oman pulling China in as a more direct participant, even a guarantor. Attribute that carefully. Source said. Not a published MFA communique. What is verified: Wang Yi met Bagheri Kani the same day, Sultan Haitham was in Beijing, and Al Jazeera/SCMP confirmed the diplomacy surge. Muscat has mediated for years. Now the reporting says Oman wants China sitting closer to the table while the US keeps strike options warm. If true, that is Gulf states choosing a guarantor that signs currency swaps over a patron that schedules bombs around midterms. China builds the mediation track. Washington builds the runway at Ramon. Watch which one the region invites back.