- China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi calls for an immediate cease of military operations between the US, Israel, and Iran.
- China condemns recent strikes as violations of international law, lacking UN Security Council authorization.
- Diplomatic efforts intensify, with China engaging multiple regional actors to promote de-escalation and dialogue.
China has taken a firm stance against the escalating military actions in the Middle East, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi demanding an immediate halt to operations involving the US, Israel, and Iran. This call comes amid recent strikes that have heightened regional tensions, with China labeling them as breaches of international norms. According to sources familiar with the discussions, Wang Yi has been actively involved in phone diplomacy, though not with an Israeli counterpart as previously speculated; instead, he has communicated with foreign ministers from Russia, Iran, France, and Oman to push for peace.
In a statement, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning emphasized that the attack and killing of Iran's supreme leader Khamenei constitutes "a grave violation of Iran's sovereignty and security," directly challenging UN Charter principles. Wang Yi rejected the timing of the strikes, noting they occurred during ongoing US-Iran negotiations, and criticized what he termed as unilateral actions by major powers. "It is unacceptable for the U.S. and Israel to launch attacks against Iran in the process of the ongoing U.S.-Iran negotiations, still less to blatantly attack and kill a leader of a sovereign country and instigate government change," he said, according to diplomatic sources.
China's diplomatic outreach has focused on supporting Iran's sovereignty while urging a return to dialogue. In talks with Iran, Wang Yi assured Beijing's backing for Tehran's security and territorial integrity, while discussions with France highlighted the need to resist "violations of international law and double standards." Efforts to reach out to Israeli officials for comment were unsuccessful, but regional analysts suggest China's push reflects broader concerns over stability in the Gulf, where shipping routes and neighboring states' security are at risk. Oman's Foreign Minister reportedly noted that Iran-US negotiations had made "unprecedented progress" before the military intervention, adding a layer of complexity to the crisis.
On the nuclear front, China reaffirmed its support for a peaceful resolution to the Iranian nuclear issue through dialogue, citing Iran's repeated denials of nuclear weapons development. Market watchers are closely monitoring the situation, as any prolonged conflict could impact global energy prices and financial markets, though immediate effects have been muted. As of early trading, oil prices showed slight volatility, but no major disruptions have been reported yet. This developing story underscores the delicate balance in international diplomacy, with China positioning itself as a key mediator in a region fraught with geopolitical risks.