China Urges Immediate Halt to Iran Strikes, Warns Against Escalation in Middle East
BEIJING: China has voiced firm opposition to the recent military strikes on Iran during a high-level diplomatic exchange, as tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate following a series of attacks that have destabilized the region.
According to Chinese state media, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi conveyed Beijing’s position during a telephone conversation on Tuesday with his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Saar. The call came in the wake of coordinated strikes carried out by the United States and Israel over the weekend, which reportedly resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, dramatically intensifying hostilities across the Middle East.
The outbreak of violence marks a significant turning point in regional dynamics, with fears mounting that the confrontation could expand beyond its initial flashpoints. The strikes have triggered strong reactions from several global powers, including China, which maintains close strategic and economic ties with Tehran.
Beijing has called for an immediate ceasefire and described the killing of Khamenei as a “serious violation,” underscoring its concerns about sovereignty and regional stability. While stopping short of directly condemning Israel during the conversation, Wang emphasized China’s longstanding position that disputes should be resolved through peaceful means.
In remarks carried by the state news agency Xinhua, Wang reiterated that China advocates resolving international disagreements through “dialogue and consultation.” He noted that recent negotiations between Iran and the United States had shown “obvious progress” prior to the outbreak of violence.
“The recent Iran-US negotiations were making obvious progress,” Wang said, adding, “Regrettably, this process has been interrupted by gunfire.”
Reaffirming Beijing’s opposition to the joint US-Israeli military action, Wang cautioned against the use of force as a means of resolving complex geopolitical disputes. “Force cannot truly solve problems — instead, it will only bring new problems and severe after-effects,” he stated.
He further urged all parties involved to exercise restraint, warning that continued military operations risk widening the conflict and pushing the situation beyond control. “China calls for an immediate halt to military operations to prevent the conflict from further spreading and getting out of control,” Wang added.
The latest developments have heightened international concern about the potential for a broader regional war, with diplomatic efforts now seen as increasingly urgent to prevent further escalation.